AN INSPIRATIONAL paraplegic youngster who was told he would never be able to swim has qualified for a national championship.

Ten-year-old Ben Shewbridge from Bovington is set to compete in the S4 National Swimming Championships in Manchester next weekend after a brave battle to take to the water.

When Ben was a baby his spine was damaged by a tumour, which left him paralysed from the waist down.

As a small child he received hydrotherapy and then in 2013 when he was due to start swimming lessons with his school he was told by a health professional that he would never be able to swim.

Undeterred, Ben started swimming lessons at Dorchester Sports Centre with 1610 Senior Swimming Coach Andrea Dabbs as part of the Aiming High activity based sports programme, which supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

Andrea encouraged Ben, who benefited from one to one lessons with her and he soon learned to swim.

He progressed so much that he was able to join the West Dorset Swimming Club, which is based at Dorchester Sports Centre, where he now swims twice a week.

Ben was introduced to competitive swimming at the club and has competed at the South East Regional Para Swimming Championships and the Midlands Autumn Para Swimming Championships.

At the Midlands Championships he set personal best times in 50m freestyle and 50m backstroke and is now set for the National Championships in Manchester.

Andrea said that she is very proud of what Ben has achieved and hopes he will prove an inspiration to other youngsters.

She said: "It was wonderful to have worked with Ben in the early days and to have taught him to swim.

"He is a very determined boy and has achieved so much and hopefully he will inspire other children in Dorset to try and achieve their dreams.

"He is proof that disability isn’t necessarily a barrier to being successful in sport and it was great that the Aiming High scheme has played a part in Ben’s journey.

"We wish him the very best of luck in Manchester."

For more details about swimming lessons and the Aiming High programme at Dorchester Sports Centre contact Andrea Dabbs on 01305 858400.