Teenage paracyclist Lauren Booth has picked up five medals including two golds at Sainsbury’s 2014 School Games, one for every event she took part in.

Lauren, 13, who lives in Cepen Park, Chippenham, beat the odds by even getting on a bike after developing meningitis as a baby and doctors informing her parents she may never walk.

Now she has performed in front of a crowd of thousands at the Games, a major multi-sport event for elite young athletes which took place last Thursday in Manchester.

Lauren, who goes to Abbeyfield School in Chippenham, won golds in the 500m and 1,000m time trials, silver in the flying 200m and bronzes in the 500m keirin time trial and 2,000m pursuit. She came second overall in the paracycling omnium, competing against some people seven years older than herself.

Lauren said: “I’m a bit tired. Everyone is pleased – school, friends, coaches, and my mum and dad.”

She goes to Newport in Wales every Saturday to train with Neil Smith. Her love of cycling began aged four when the Meningitis Trust bought her a special trike to help with her balance problems caused by the disease.

Her mum, Lisa-Jayne Booth, said: “With the weakness in her left leg it is hard-going but she works hard and is extremely focused.

“To see her encouraging the crowd to cheer her on as she set her bike in the start gates was something to be seen; she was subsequently referred to as the showgirl by the commentator.”

She is now preparing for is the British Cycling Senior National Track Champio-nship in Manchester in two weeks.