A 16-year-old Halesowen athlete is celebrating after a stellar performance at the Paralympic games in Paris.

Maddie Down, who trains at Halesowen Athletics Club, rose to prominence after winning double gold at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games.

She placed third in her heat of the T38 100 metres at the weekend, setting a new personal best of 12.94 seconds. In the final, Maddie finished in eighth place, in a race won by Colombian, Karen Palomeque who set a new world record of 12.26 seconds.

Fellow Brit and defending champion Sophie Hahn was sixth in 12.88 seconds.

Speaking on Channel 4, Maddie said: “It was amazing. The aim was just to come out here and enjoy it and the final was an added bonus.

"It's been a great experience and with the long jump next, we'll just see what happens"

Maddie, who was inspired to compete after watching the 2012 Summer Paralympics at the age of 4, is back in action on Thursday morning in the T38 Long Jump final.