A TEENAGER who took up wheelchair rugby after being left paralysed – due to an accident while playing rugby – said he will continue with the sport and aim for the Paralympics.

George Claxton, who was 15 when he was left dependant on a wheelchair in 2012 when a tackle went wrong, had hoped to compete in the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

But when he tried out for the Great Britain squad, coaches said he needed to get more training.

George, of Sandringham Close, Blackburn, said: “Unfortunately, the coach who decided who got into the development squad believed that I was inexperienced and thought that I should enjoy the sport before it became internationally competitive, which I completely agree with because I had only been playing wheelchair rugby for less than a year and was punching way above my weight.

“On the other hand, it was a great experience to learn what they are looking for, for next time.”

He teenager thanked the Rosalyn Park Trust for supplying him with the funds for his rugby chair.