A WHEELCHAIR racer from Taunton is heading across the world to compete in the European Championships. 

Jamie Edwards, who attends Richard Huish College, has today (March 16) headed to Dubai to take part in the competition. 

Jamie, from Taunton, was born with Cerebral Palsy and always a keen sportsman, took up wheelchair racing only a few years ago, after taking inspiration from six-time Gold Paralympic medallist, David Weir at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Somerset County Gazette:

He was quickly recognised for his speed and talent, being signed by the British Athletics Para Academy and narrowly missed out on team GB selection for the 2016 Paralympics.

Jamie is currently ranked second in the UK and third in the world in his T33 classification.

Jamie said: "Dubai is going to be a great experience for me, this will be the first time I will meet the current world record holder, and I can’t wait! I’ve been training very hard over the winter and looking forward to an exciting season ahead."

He hopes to qualify for the World Championships in the summer.

Jamie, who studies the Extended Diploma in Information Technology at Huish, now has his sights set on Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, training six times a week since joining the prestigious Weir Archer Academy, with head coaches Jenny Archer MBE and David Weir CBE.

Jamie recently delivered an inspirational talk to fellow students at Huish about his journey in sports and disability, which gave others an insight into his challenges and future ambitions.