AN INSPIRATIONAL Paralympian who competed in the Beijing Games has passed on tips to a group of budding young disabled athletes.

AN INSPIRATIONAL Paralympian who competed in the Beijing Games has passed on tips to a group of budding young disabled athletes.

Brian Alldis spoke about the importance of sport in building confidence and opening up opportunities at the latest Disbaility Sport Showcase in Mildenhall.

The 22-year-old, who described this month's Paralympics as an “amazing experience”, also turned his attention to London in four years time and revealed how he hoped to bring a medal back to his home town of Bury St Edmunds.

Mr Alldis was guest of honour at Saturday's event which gave disabled people the chance to try out a range of Paralympic sports for free.

He said: “I wanted to come to the event and talk to disabled youngsters about how important sport can be in their lives. This is how I started, doing this kind of grassroots event, and now I have just had my first experience of the Paralympics. Sport has helped me so much and it has enabled me to travel the world and made so many friends.”

Mr Alldis, a member of the St Edmunds Pacers, admitted his debut Paralympic performance had not been quite what he had hoped with technical problems ending his bid in the 5,000 and 1,500 metres and failing to qualify in the 800 metres. But he had better luck in the marathon finishing 34th.

The weekend event, run by Suffolk-based disability charity Optua, offered taster sessions in a range of sports including wheelchair basketball, football, judo and powerlifting.