Horwich wheelchair basketball ace Chris Greenhalgh has vowed to be at the London 2012 Paralympics.

The 26-year-old’s Paralympic ambition was given a boost earlier this year when he was invited onto the Lloyds TSB Local Heroes initiative and given a cash injection of £1,000.

Greenhalgh is yet to pull on a British vest this year but is on the radar of head coach Murray Treseder after impressing in a demonstration event at the Paralympic World Cup in May.

And with Saturday marking exactly three years until the Paralympic torch is lit, Greenhalgh says his build up is right on course.

“I have to push on and the message I am getting from GB is that the team is not picked and every place is up for grabs,” he said.

“I am part of the squad even though I haven’t been selected for any of the tournaments yet, but I am in the top bracket and I go to all of the training camps with all the guys.

“It was good to get some form of a run out at the Paralympic World Cup because it was a good chance to keep on the coach’s mind.

“I am still confident I can make it to 2012. I have played for GB growing up — now I have to step up to the first team.”

Greenhalgh, who represented Great Britain at the World Under-23 Championships in 2005, has had a busy off season completing his Super League switch from Newcastle Eagles to Oldham Owls.

The Horwich ace has plenty to aim for with the European Championships in Turkey in October and the World Championships in Birmingham next year.

And despite being one of the elder statesmen in the British camp, Greenhalgh is adamant time is on his side.

He said: “The British team is in transition and a lot of the older guys have moved on and there is a lot more youth coming through.

“But if you are performing then you will go and I know what I have to do. I was out for a little bit of the season with a shoulder injury but I am fine now and determined to get to 2012.”

Lloyds TSB is providing £1,000 to over 270 emerging young sportspeople identified each year across Britain, in the run up to London 2012 and beyond. Visit Lloydstsb.com/Localheroes