AN OLYMPIC torchbearer who was born with one leg was Great Britain’s top scorer in the wheelchair basketball World Championships.

Ben Fox, 18, of Westlea, continues to inspire after coming out on top on Saturday, despite the under 23 squad’s defeat by two points against Australia in a battle for bronze in Adana, Turkey.

The youngster, who was also born with a hole in his heart, touched the hearts of the nation when he carried the Olympic flame through Royal Wootton Bassett High Street last year, was proud of his 12-strong team’s achievements despite not winning the bronze after losing out to favourites, Germany in the semi-finals.

He said: “We played well as a team and stuck to the game plan but it just wasn’t our day.

“The team gave me confidence to go out and play my game and keep calm. It was a team effort and without them I wouldn’t have been able to be top scorer. Although everyone is gutted we are all really proud of what we have achieved.”

Ben was always a keen sportsman and started playing wheelchair basketball six years ago in guard and forward positions.

The former Commonweal School and New College student has played for the South West Scorpions in Bristol and now plays for the Coventry Crusaders.

Mum Carol Hearne, 54, said: “He had a really good tournament, the whole team had a really good tournament. They couldn’t have done any more than they did.”

Now, Ben is embarking on his latest challenge – studying sports coaching and physical education at university in Worcester, where Carol dropped him off yesterday morning.