A King James pupil has been awarded with the Durham County Council’s Chairman’s Medal after he overcame his disabilities and won seven national swimming medals.

Thirteen year-old Lyndon Longhorne, who lives in Crook, received the award after a surprise announcement by Councillor Brian Myers in a school assembly.

Lyndon uses a wheelchair to get around, after he had his legs and an arm amputated as a baby due to meningitis.

However, this didn’t stop him winning a gold, four silver and two bronze medals in the National Junior Swimming Campionships at Pond Forge in Sheffield.

Lyndon is a natural in the pool, having only started seriously training in December. He has now set his sights on competing in th 2012 London Paralympic Games and trains three times a week at Wear Valley Swimming Club.

Councillor Myers told the school hall, “Lyndon’s efforts to overcome his physical disability should serve as inspiration to us all.”