Worcestershire celebrates its Paralympians ahead of Paris

Droitwich is getting into the competitive spirit by displaying banners in support of its athletes participating in this year's Paralympics in Paris.

The town will cheer on siblings Rebecca and Matthew Redfern, who are on the ParalympicsGB swimming team.

Paris will mark Rebecca's third Paralympics. (Image: Steve Redfern) It comes after the town gave a hero's welcome back home to Olympic swimmer Matt Richards, who has already won a gold and silver medal in this year's games.

Miss Redfern, who holds the world record in the SB13 100m Breaststroke, will return to the Paralympics for a third time after winning medals in Tokyo and Rio.

Her older brother, Mr Redfern, will be making his Paralympic games debut this summer, but he already has an accomplished swimming career under his belt.

The banners have been placed outside Droitwich Heritage & Information Centre by Droitwich Town Council.

Proud father Steve Redfern said: "Thank you again for organising the banners.

"It was an incredibly proud moment taking their picture in town and getting nods and glances from those passing by.

Paris Paralympics will be Matthew's debut. (Image: Steve Redfern) "They are both born and raised in Droitwich and are very proud to represent the town they love.

"It’s wonderful to know they have this support."

The two siblings share a degenerative eye condition known as retinitis pigmentosa.

Miss and Mr Redfern started their swimming careers at Droitwich Dolphins - the same group which also trained Matt Richards. 

Councillor Richard Morris, from Droitwich, said: "Good look to our Droitwich Paralympians.

"The Olympics were great but now we can cheer along our two brilliant Droitwich Paralympians, Rebecca and Matthew.

"We cheered loudly for our very own Matt Richards and Jade Shekells, who did so brilliantly and now need to continue our support."

The Paris Paralympics will begin on August 28, and the para-swimming competition programme will run from August 29 to September 7.