Rob Welbourn increases medal haul

County swimming sensation Rob Welbourn completed a momentous week at the European Paralympic Championships with two more medals.

The Lincoln Vulcans ace picked up his fourth and fifth medals of the championships, held in the Icelandic capital Reykjavik, on Saturday and Sunday.

First, he claimed bronze in the 100m freestyle before, on the final day of competition, he helped Great Britain claim gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay.

It was the 22-year-old's second gold of the event following his stunning victory in his premier discipline, the 400m freestyle.

Earlier in the week, Welbourn, who competed in the S10 class, claimed another bronze in the 200m individual medley.

He also secured silver for Team GB in the 4x100m medley relay with a scintillating final-leg swim.

Welbourn was seeded fourth following the heats of the 100m freestyle and knew he had his work cut out to be in the medals, particularly after suffering from a flu type virus in the lead-up to the meet.

Ludwig of Germany and Levecq of Spain tied for the gold but a brilliant final 50m from Welbourn saw him move up from fifth at the turn to snatch the bronze from the Netherlands' van der Zanden.

Overall, Great Britain ended the championships with 39 gold, 32 silver and 23 bronze medals.

Great Britian head coach Lars Humer said the squad had met their pre-championships medal target.

"What was really pleasing is that we had a crop of youngsters that stood up here and did a good job but we also saw good performances from some of our other athletes too," said Humer.