PARALYMPIAN golden girl Claire Cashmore is now making a splash as the figurehead for a scheme to help rising sports stars in her home town.

Swimmer Claire, aged 28, from Kidderminster - who won gold in the four by 100m medley relay and a silver in the SB8 category 100m breaststroke at this year's Rio games - has become a champion for Wyre Forest Leisure Centre's Access Gold scheme.

Access Gold, which is provided by the centre in partnership with Wyre Forest District Council, provides support and encouragement to leading local talented and elite sports performers up to the age of 19.

As a result of agreeing to champion the scheme, Claire has been given free membership to use the centre to help with her demanding training schedules.

“I am thrilled to have been asked to champion this fantastic scheme," she said.

"Anything that helps to support today’s athletes is a huge welcome. I will be looking forward to using the facilities at the Wyre Forest Leisure Centre myself."

Rio was Claire's fourth Paralympics and her most successful to date.

She entered the world stage aged only 16, qualifying for Athens and coming home with two bronze medals.

She then gained a bronze at the Beijing games and two silvers and a bronze at London 2012.

Access Gold aims to help other local aspiring sports stars, easing their financial burden by allowing them to train at Wyre Forest Leisure Centre free of charge.

Each year, the scheme selects young people playing sport at county, West Midlands or international level to gain a year's free membership to the leisure centre.