Kent's rising throwing star Vicky Silk has underlined her London 2012 Paralympic credentials by bagging gold at the UK School Games, writes Gerard Meagher, Sportsbeat .

The 16-year-old Ashford Athletics Club member from Folkestone missed out on gold in the shot put by the narrowest of margins at the four-day multi-sport event in Coventry last year and had to settle for silver.

But Silk, who was presented with her medal by Olympics minister Tessa Jowell, saw off all competition in the ambulant discus to top the podium with a throw of 16.65 metres in Bath.

And the Pent Valley School pupil believes her UK School Games victory can catapult her to success when the Paralympics come to London in four years’ time.

“I’m delighted to have a gold medal,” she said. “Last year I got silver, which was great, but to go one better and get gold is an unbelievable feeling.

“I like to compete in all of the throwing events but I think the discus is my favourite so to win that makes me even more pleased.

“And to receive my medal from Tessa Jowell was the icing on the cake. I’ve really enjoyed my time here and the whole event has been fantastic.”