THERE are not many people who are head and shoulders above Prince Harry but this little girl from Hereford can lay claim to being one of them.

Five year-old Isabelle Nixon, who attends Hampton Dene Primary School in Tupsley, Hereford, was given a ride on the shoulders of the Queen's grandson last night during the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games in London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

The moment capped a wonderful weekend for the Lower Bullingham-based Nixon family after Isabelle's father, Adam Nixon, captained the United Kingdom's wheelchair basketball team to Gold during the inaugural Games which gave injured servicemen and women from across the world the chance to participate in a variety of sports.

"It was very surreal," said Mr Nixon.

"Prince Harry had given Isabelle a hug earlier in the evening.

"Later on she saw him again and ran over to him. He recognised her, picked her up and put her on his shoulders."

Isabelle's mum, Taryn Nixon, said her daughter thinks she is now a princess after being taken under the Prince's wing.

The night ended a memorable few days for Mr Nixon who oversaw a UK victory over the USA to win wheelchair Gold.

"It was phenomenal," he said.

"It superseded all expectations."

Mr Nixon only took up basketball a year ago because he was stuck for something to do after he left the Armed Forces.

He sustained serious injuries while serving in Iraq, resulting in him losing his left leg.

After undergoing extensive rehabilitation the 31 year-old's family suggested he join the Worcester Wolves' wheelchair basketball team.