A Bicester teenager is well on his way to the Beijing Paralympics after winning a bronze medal in a UK weightlifting championship.

Daniel Steward had entered the British Championships, at The Gutman Centre, in Stoke Mandeville, for practice, but clinched a coveted medal, which also places him third in the country in his class.

The teenager, who is in the middle of A-Level exams at Bicester Community College, only started in the sport at the beginning of the year, but the European Championship this year, and Paralympics in 2008 are now beckoning.

Steward, 18, of Montgomery Road, Caversfield, Bicester, said: "We have three lifts, first 70 kilos, second 75 kilos, the third 80 kilos was a personal best highest.

"All three were all clear lifts and for me that was enough, so I hadn't bothered looking at the scoreboard.

"I got changed got back in for the presentations and my name came up. It was a bit of a shock, but I went forward and picked up the medal.

"I soon had to come back down to earth as I had exams on Monday."

With future championships in mind Steward is being giving specialist weightlifting equipment, but it is too large to fit in his home, so his looking for a local gym to house it.

Anyone who could help should call Daniel on 01869 247238.