Kindred has now won six Paralympic Gold medals.

Hereford's paralympic swimmer Sascha Kindred has an extra honour to go with his three medals from Beijing.

Kindred, from Credenhill, has been appointed an OBE in the New Year honours list, after he collected two golds and a bronze in the summer.

The 31-year-old told BBC Hereford & Worcester the honour caps a perfect year for him.

"Defending my titles was great but then getting a letter from Her Majesty tops it off."

Kindred, who has now won six Paralympic gold medals, says he hopes he and his fellow competitors are an inspiration to others.

"Doctors told me I would not be able to walk, I would be in a wheelchair all my life.

"We overcome so many obstacles and manage to achieve things people only dream of."

Zac Purchase returned to Upton On Seven in the summer

A woman who has given over 30 years of her life to swimming in Herefordshire becomes an MBE in the New Year honours list.

Trixie Pulsford from Ross On Wye teaches at the local swimming club, and told BBC Hereford and Worcester she still cannot believe it.

"I really did think it was some kind of joke, as my husband took the post in.

"He said I had a letter from the cabinet, and I told him not to be so daft."

The Olympic rower Zac Purchase, who began his career in Worcestershire, gets an MBE to go with his Olympic Gold.

Purchase began rowing at the King's School in Worcester and at the Upton on Severn club.

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