TYLDESLEY'S Olympic silver medal hero Paul Ratcliffe will be going for gold again in four years time.

That's the prediction of one of his coaches, Alan Edge, who helped steer Paul's course to silver in Wednesday's K1 canoe/kayak slalom in Australia.

Edge is confident that Ratcliffe won't be hanging up his paddles just yet.

Ratcliffe returns to his studies at Leicester University next month and is weighing up his options before next year's world championship.

However, Edge is confident the 26-year-old from Squires Lane will want another crack at an Olympic title.

"It was a measure of the guy how he came back after that first run to get a silver medal," says Edge.

"I know he wanted gold but it's no disgrace in finishing second.

"Paul is one of the best people I have ever worked with and I'm sure he will want another go at gold in Athens.

"Paul will only be 31 in Athens. The Italian guy who won bronze in Sydney is 35.

"He is a legend in canoeing and I'm sure that will inspire Paul to give it another go.

"The big difference now though is that the world championship, instead of being every two years, will now be staged every year.

"That's going to demand a lot of commitment. But I believe that once he has analysed this result he will carry on for another Games."

Ratcliffe can expect a hero's welcome when he returns to Tyldesley. But the celebrations will have to wait for a while.

"I'm going to have a holiday out here before I go home," Ratcliffe said.

"The last time I was out here in Australia I bought myself a surf board. I've not had time to try it out until now.

"So that's high on my list of priorities."