SUPER swimmer Chris Pugh is hoping to strike gold this autumn in Australia when he takes part in the Paralympic Games.

The 16-year-old, of Chillingham Drive, Leigh, has been picked to represent his country in the 200m freestyle and 200m individual medley and aims to become number one in the world.

Chris, who has just left Green Hall school in Atherton, said: "I don't know what the competition will be like, but I'm confident I'll get in the top three."

The swimmer said he was not surprised to be picked by the British Paralympic Association for the Games, which run from October 18-29. He started swimming when he was six years old and later joined the famous Stockport Metro club, where he has excelled.

This year he beat some of the finest competitors in Europe at the German Open and took home gold medals in the 100m and 200m freestyle and the 200m individual medley.

It will be the first time Chris, who is visually impaired, has been 'Down Under' and he will be joined by two friends who also train at Stockport.

His mum and dad Lynn and David, meanwhile, will have to be content with biting their nails in front of the television at home in Leigh.

Manchester City fan Chris swims for hours every day and hopes his dedication to the sport will lead to a career in moulding future pool stars.

He will start an A-level in Sports Science at a college in Stockport this summer and after concentrating on swimming aims to go into the coaching side.

Britain is one of the most successful Paralympic nations of all time. In 1996 it finished fourth with 122 medals, 39 of them gold. Chris will be hoping to help beat that number this autumn.