A BLIND archer from Sale is celebrating winning a gold medal at the British Transplant Games.

David Poyner,of Dargle Road, beat 117 other competitors, to win gold as part of Team Manchester, at the event which was held in Bolton earlier this month.

The games was attended by 700 transplant athletes from across the country and even one team from Australia, competing for medals at disciplines, which included track and field, tennis, badminton, table tennis, cycling, golf, fishing and lawn bowls.

David's wife Jane, a Team Manchester supporter said: "On the first night of the Games there was a fabulous opening ceremony where all the teams were led into Bolton's Victoria Square by a pipe band in front of dignitaries and a huge crowd outside the town hall."

David, who is chairman of the British Blind Sports Archery team and is a B2 shooter, also participated in the swimming in the 50m freestyle and 50m breast stroke, where he finished sixth and seventh respectively, and led the ten pin bowling tournament early on before his sighted opponents overtook him.

Jane, who donated one of her kidneys to David, described her husband's golden success in the archery

She explained: "The experienced archers shot first in front of an enthusiastic crowd, many of which were fascinated by David's tactile archery kit. David was delighted to be the first person in Team Manchester to pick up a gold medal."

David said: "I wouldn't be alive now if I hadn't been for a kidney transplant from Jane, and the games is a celebration of the gift of life and a great way to encourage more people to sign up to become organ donors."

David is also a service user and a supporter of Henshaws Society for Blind People in Old Trafford.

Hale Barns's Mike Kewley was also a participant at this year's games.