Bickley’s Billy Birchmore has won the Outstanding Achievement award at London Disability Swimming Club’s annual ceremony.

The 19-year-old has enjoyed a stunning year, collecting 16 medals at the DSISO European Championships and smashing several European and World records.

Birchmore, who has Down’s syndrome, racked up further success at last weekend’s Para-Nationals in Manchester, where he succeeded in breaking five more records.

Steve Birchmore, Billy’s dad, said: “We are so proud of him. It is great for Billy to receive the award, it caps off a fantastic year for him.

“First he went to Mexico for the World Championships and won gold medals, then in the European Championships in July he came away with 16 medals.

“He broke European records in 50, 100 and 200 metres freestyle which was just incredible.

“He’s worked so hard and all the medals and records are a result of hours of training.”

Birchmore swims for Sharks Disability Swimming Club in Mottingham, the Orpington Ojays and London Disability Swimming.

The swimmers’ talent was clear when he started competitive swimming at 13.

“He couldn’t get in a club for a while when he was younger,” Mr Birchmore, 56, said. “He started swimming socially at 11 and I could see that he was really good.

“From then he hasn’t looked back and works so hard.

“Billy was confident going into the Europeans, but we had no idea that he would do so well. He was captain of the GB team and the flag bearer which I think inspired him on.”

The Bromley College pupil’s achievements ensure he is one of the elite performers in his disability category.

For Birchmore, the chance to compete for Great Britain at a Paralympic level would represent at genuine medal opportunity.

Mr Birchmore added: “Billy is really hoping that Down’s syndrome athletes get their own category in the Paralympics because he would be a gold medal contender.

“He’s definitely in the top three in the world, so his major goal is the Paralympics.”