A TEENAGER who was paralysed down one side of his body after being involved in a horror coach smash is bidding for Olympic glory.

Richard Howard wants to represent his country at the Paralympic Games in Beijing next year.

His dream was given a boost when he won three gold medals at the British Disability Short Course championships in Sheffield earlier this month.

Richard, aged 19, and an ex-Canon Slade pupil, completed the 50 metres butterfly in 31.7 seconds, breaking the British and European record.

He also now holds the British record in the 50 metres backstroke with a time of 35.7 seconds, and took a gold medal in the 100 metres butterfly at the championships held earlier this month.

Richard works as a teaching assistant at Buile Hill High School in Salford and completes eight two-hour training sessions a week.

The teenager, of Walkden Road, Worsley, said: "I am so pleased to have won these medals, it feels like all the hard work has paid off.

"I really enjoy the training and do two sessions before school, and the rest after school and at weekends. I still make time to see my friends and family though," the youngster added.

Richard was left fighting for his life following a coach crash in Austria in August, 2004.

Horrific injuries left him paralysed down his right side when the coach rolled down a slope and landed upside down.

He swims using his left side and recently moved from Bolton Metro swimming club to City of Salford.

The ambitious teenager's ultimate aim is to win a medal at the Paralympics in London in 2012.

His proud father Martin, said: "He has been through such a lot at an early age but he is a very determined young man.

"He has got a lot of confidence and ability and we are looking forward to seeing him win a medal at 2012. We believe he can do it."