Shooting star Ryan in TV show on the Olympics

Paralympic hopeful Ryan Cockbill is to star in a television documentary about his sporting successes.

It is a double boost for the 21-year-old, of Great Barr, who has also been chosen as an Olympic torchbearer.

Ryan broke his neck in a swimming accident in 2006, leaving him paralysed from the chest down, but he dreams of using his shooting skills to compete in the games next year.

Last week he took part in filming for BBC's Olympic Dreams which follows hopeful athletes in the build-up to the 2012 games.

Last month, he travelled to Australia for an international competition after being chosen to compete with the Great Britain squad which picked up a bronze and silver medal on the trip.

He has also been chosen to travel with the team to Poland in April to compete in the world cup.

His mother Karen, aged 51, of Ravenhurst Drive, said: "It's all looking very positive. He was filmed by the BBC at home and they took him to the shooting range. The programme is due to be aired towards the end of January.

"He has been chosen as a torchbearer and will be carrying it somewhere between Birmingham and Coventry."

The Ryan Cockbill Trust, which was set up to enable Ryan to make the necessary changes to his life, has also raised £4,500 this year.

The bulk of the money was brought in by a black tie and tiara ball, which raised £3,000.

Earlier this year, the trust also launched a fundraising appeal to help pay for a new wheelchair-adaptable van which could be used by Ryan to get to training sessions at Aldersley Stadium, Wolverhampton, and Stoke Mandeville Stadium, in Buckinghamshire.

His mother added: "We will be doing more fundraising in the new year.

"I'm so proud of him. He's achieved a lot since his accident. When you look at his story, it's quite inspirational."

Ryan will find out in May whether he can compete in the 2012 games.