KELLY College pupil Hannah Russell rounded off a spectacular 2012 in style after being named as the winner of the Excellence in Disabled Sport category at the Aviva School Sport Matters Awards.

The 16-year-old swimmer won three medals at the London 2012 Paralympics – 400m freestyle silver and 100m backstroke and 100m butterfly bronze – while she also passing her GCSEs with flying colours.

The awards recognise superb achievement in school sport over the past year and Hannah scooped her prize at Lord's Cricket Ground ahead of fellow Paralympians Jordan Howe and Olivia Breen.

Hannah, who was presented with her accolade by 11-time Paralympic champion Sarah Storey, admitted that receiving it was a fantastic way to round off the best year of her life.

'I'm so proud to have won this award,' said Hannah. 'It really has been an unbelievable year, probably the best of my life all things considered. First of all I did my GCSEs and got some great results – one A*, four Bs and three Cs – then I went to London and had an amazing Paralympics with one silver and two bronzes. And to top it all off with this award is just amazing and the most important thing I can do is thank everyone who has helped and supported me on the journey to get to this point.

Hannah's thoughts are already turning to the future and the Rio 2016 Games and before that the the World Championships in Canada in 2013.

'Gold medals are obviously the next ambition for me but the competition is so tough so I know that I need to keep working hard and improving.'

The Aviva and Daily Telegraph School Sport Matters Awards recognise outstanding achievements in school sport across the country — part of Aviva's commitment to support the next generation of British sporting talent. For information go to aviva.co.uk/rugby-sponsorship