Pistol shooter Andy Gardiner, already a rising star of the sport, was speaking after being named Disabled Sportsperson of the Year at the Oxfordshire Sports Awards.

The 33-year-old, a father of one from Bicester, said: "I just can't believe this - it is great.

"Having been an able-bodied sportsman for so long, it was difficult to face life in a wheelchair.

"I thought I would get in touch with Disability Target Shooting Great Britain and it changed my life.

"I got a reply almost immediately and it helped really pick me up again – the rest as they say is history."

Gardiner, who collected his award at a ceremony at the Kassam Stadium, had faced stiff competition for the accolade from footballer Sam Davies and wheelchair tennis player Danny Robbins.

The award marks a year in which Gardiner has represented Britain in numerous international competitions, including the World Championships in Croatia in July and the inaugural GB World Cup, held at Stoke Mandeville in September.

Among his finest achievements is the bronze medal he won in the P1 10m air pistol SH1 at the Alicante Cup in September 2009, along with GB team mates Chris Summerscales and Adrian Bunclark.