BROMSGROVE'S Lauren Rowles has been selected for the Rio Paralympics after being called-up to the Great Britain squad.

The King Edward VI College student is part of a nine-strong squad.

Rowles is part of a relatively new partnership in the mixed double sculls (TAMix2x) with Laurence Whiteley.

Teenager Rowles was spotted by GB Rowing team staff by chance at Stoke Mandeville and transitioned from athletics where she was a successful wheelchair racer having competed for England at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games in the T53/54 1,500m.

The duo first competed internationally at the 2015 World Championships, where they won silver.

The pairing have not raced internationally this season while Rowles has been taking her A-levels.

Rowles said:  “Being selected to represent your country at a Paralympic Games is the biggest honour and wouldn’t be achievable without the support

"I’ve received from the coaches and specialists on the GB Rowing Team and also my mother who continuously supports me.

"It fills me with a great sense of pride to be part of such a powerful and successful team and I am very much looking forward to producing a good performance in Rio."

Sir David Tanner, British Rowing Performance Director added: “I am confident that this team will prove the strongest that GB has ever sent to a Paralympic Games.

"Our para rowers have worked daily with the GB Olympic Squad since London 2012 and this integration has produced real dividends in improved performance.

"I am sure that our four boats will do GB proud out in Rio.”