A LOCAL schoolgirl has bagged a golden haul of medals at the World Restricted Growth Games.

Six-year-old Ruth Smith of Shire Hills, Prestwich, has achondraplasia - or "dwarfism" - and she will probably never grow beyond 4ft 2in.

It also means she was eligible to join 200 athletes, representing eleven countries at the event which was held in Peterborough.

Ruth, a pupil of Butterstile County Primary School, won two gold medals for throwing, one silver for running and one bronze for throwing the frisbee.

Mum Mrs Lynn Smith said: "It was a tremendous success, and very exciting."

Achondraplasia is usually a genetic condition but neither of Ruth's parents carried the gene and it was a one in 40,000 chance that dealt it to her.

Mrs Smith said: "It was a terrible shock at first, but now Ruth lives a completely normal life."

Mrs Smith and her husband David joined the Restricted Growth Association which provided help, advice and support.

"She has coped very well with life. Her involvement with athletics has helped as she has been able to compete and mix with people like herself."

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