A GOLD medal was heading home to Trull and a village postbox was to be painted the same colour after a week of highs and lows for our athletes at the Paralympic Games, the County Gazette reported in September 2012.

Equestrian Debbie Criddle, who already had an exceptional record at the Games, was returning to Trull with three medals – two silvers and a gold.

Debbie, 46, who lost an arm and 50 per cent use of her right leg in a motorbike accident in 1985, was riding LJT Akilles in Grade III and won silver in the individual event.

She went on to capture gold in the team event with Lee Pearson, Sophie Christiansen and Sophie Wells, securing Great Britain a fifth successive team title.

Then Debbie added another silver to her collection in the freestyle event.

She said: “This has been the top moment of my career and totally amazing experience.

“All the support I have received has been very special and I thank everyone who has helped to lift me and bring the best out of me.”

Debbie was told of plans to paint the postbox in the centre of Trull gold to celebrate her medal.

Wheelchair tennis ace Lucy Shuker, 32, who trained at Blackbrook Pavilion in Taunton, stormed into the second round of the singles competition at Eton Manor, where she beat Emmy Kaiser, from the USA, 6-0, 6-2.

But Lucy, Great Britain’s number one ranked player, lost in the quarter finals to world number three Jiske Griffioen from the Netherlands 6-4, 6-2.

Speaking after the match, she said: “It didn’t feel like I played my best tennis but Jiske is a great player.