A GOLD medal-winning paralympian from Braintree has been reunited with his childhood swimming coach.

Giles Long won seven medals in the Paralympics including three gold medals during the 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney games.

Mike Gosling, 57, of Bocking, coached the star at Braintree & Bocking Swimming Club both before and after he was diagnosed with a bone tumour in his arm aged 13.

Mr Long, who almost died after his treatment, said: “It took me a long time to accept my disability and to concentrate on what I could do, rather than couldn’t."

Mr Gosling said: “Giles is an inspiration to many people, as he has proved that you can still realise your dreams even if your circumstances changed dramatically. I am very proud to see how far he’s come.”