INSPIRATIONAL Paralympic gold medallist Sascha Kindred has officially been made a CBE.

Mr Kindred, one of Britain’s most successful Paralympic athletes, received the honour for his services to swimming in the New Year’s Honours list.

He has competed at six Paralympic Games, winning seven gold, three silver and three bronze medals. Over a remarkable 23 year career he won 62 international medals and still holds 12 British records.

With his wife, Nyree, and daughter, Ella, he travelled to Buckingham Palace last week – kitted out in an Armani suit from Hereford store Pritchards – where he received the CBE from Prince William, Duke of Cambridge.

Mr Kindred, who retired from the sport earlier this year, said: "I had met Prince William before and he remembered me so it was nice to chat about swimming. He said 'you have to teach George' how to swim now.

"It is an honour to be recognised for my achievements. I have been swimming for a long time and the gold in Rio was absolutely superb and being recognised for what I have done in terms of my swimming career is an amazing honour for me."

Emma Patrick, the niece of Edward Pritchard, who owns Pritchards fashion store, has been the training inspiration behind Sascha’s success, having worked tirelessly with him through his career of Paralympic swimming.

The early mornings hours spent poolside with coaching, as well as planning nutrition and schedules played an important part in helping him to achieve his goals.