IN PICTURES: National Dwarf Games are a hit as 200 take part and Paralympic star Ellie Simmonds hands out medals

Many of the events were held at Aldersley Leisure Village in Wolverhampton on Sunday, with Ellie making an unexpected appearance at yesterday's swimming gala in Cheslyn Hay.

This year's games were opened by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Ray Hassall, at the Alexander Stadium, Perry Barr, on Saturday, with the final events held yesterday when world record-holder Ellie made a surprise appearance during the swimming gala at Cheslyn Hay Sport and Community High School.

The annual three-day competition is supported by the Paralympic Games and organised by the Dwarf Sports Association UK, of which Ellie, from Walsall, is a patron.

And the the four-time Paralympic champion broke off her training for the Rio Games this summer, to hand out medals to the swimming competitors. Tim Shephard, development officer for the association, said:"We were so pleased to see Ellie and that she took a break from her training to come to not only watch the competitors in the race, but give out the medals for us too."

Earlier in the weekend the three-day event was at Aldersley Leisure Village where competitors took part in track races and field disciplines, including shot, discus, javelin and relay races as well as swimming, archery, hockey, basketball, indoor curling and table tennis.

Mr Shephard,, said: "We brought the games to this venue in Wolverhampton around nine years ago because of the extra space it gave our athletes to compete.

"Every year the competitors seem to do better and better, with many of them beating their personal bests, and this year is no exception.

"It's so important for everyone to be involved in sport and exercise and we are proud to have some world-class athletes and Olympians in support of the work we do."

He added this year's competition had attracted international interest with three competitors travelling from France, two from Belgium, a total of 30 from Ireland, Scotland and Wales and one had even come from Sri Lanka to take part.

"It has been the biggest and best event we have ever had.," he added.

"It's about building confidence and making sport available for everyone," continued Mr Shephard.

"The aim of the association in charge of the games is to make regular sporting opportunities accessible to anyone with restricted growth in the UK, regardless of their ability.

"It's about being active for life and staying fit and healthy.

"I think that message is definitely coming through, as we've had more competitors this year than ever before and each of them have done incredibly well." Mr Shephard added.

Ellie's mum Val Simmonds continues to support the games and helps out with the swimming competition.

"Val helps out every year," Mr Shephard added.

"Ellie started competing in the swimming galas at the games when she was just four or five years old.

"She has really shown how important the games are in giving children the chance to participate in sport competitively."

Ellie, who was awarded an OBE when she aged just 14, is a four-time Paralympic champion. She shot to fame when she won her first Paralymic medal at the age of just 13.