HE'S only little but Jack Wilding is walking tall after winning six medals in the Dwarfs Athletics Championships this month -- proving that good things do come in small packages!

The brave six-year-old, of Maurice Grove, Blackpool, who has overcome many physical challenges in his life was elated to be able compete in the multi-national games and test his skills against others facing the same restrictive growth problem.

Proud mum Liz Wilding cheered Jack on at the games which took place at the beginning of this month in Birmingham.

She told The Citizen: "It is the first time he has been able to take part and I am very proud of him. He has done really well considering the physical hindrances he is already up against.

"He has had a lot of trouble throughout his life, even walking can be difficult and he has a special disabled buggy/wheelchair.

"The exercise is extremely good for him and I am glad he will continue to pursue it. He has also made some great new friends and had the chance to prove himself against others on the same level as himself, which he has never been able to do at school."

The Moor Park School pupil who competed in the junior league, won one gold medal for frisbee throwing -- the equivalent to javelin throwing for him -- one bronze medal in tennis ball throwing and four silver medals for the team-based activities of football, swimming, basketball and hockey.

His mum said Jack was thrilled to be at the event. "He had a lovely time and is very proud of his medals. He took them to school to show his class and they had a little celebration for him. He is already talking about competing next year and looking forward to it.

"Hopefully he will be fit and well to take part, but he does have a big operation on his leg in December which will mean it will be in plaster for a few months."