A young Pembrokeshire boccia player has achieved his Paralympic dream.

Jacob Thomas from Bethesda has been picked for the GB boccia team.

The 17-year-old is one of nine players who will now represent Britain at boccia in the 2012 Paralympics this summer.

"I'm thrilled for Jacob. It's always been his dream to attend the Paralympics," said Angela Miles, disability development officer for Sport Pembrokeshire - the sports development arm of Pembrokeshire County Council.

"He's an outstanding sportsman and has worked very hard to get where he is today."

Jacob's father Mike, who will be on court with him as his ramp assistant, said he was delighted.

"He has worked incredibly hard, so this is a dream come true for him.

"The rest of the family and the local community have been very supportive and I'm sure they will be rooting for him."

Jacob, who attends Pembrokeshire College, is the current British and Welsh BC3 boccia champion.

He has been playing boccia for eight years and was picked for the GB elite squad just over a year ago, since when he has been representing Britain in international competitions.

In his first major championships last year he came fourth in his classification event at the Europa Cup and fifth in the World Cup.

He trains between eight and 10 hours a week at Haverfordwest Leisure Centre, as well as taking part in monthly weekend training camps with the GB squad.

Based on boules, boccia was originally developed for people with cerebral palsy, but is now played by people of all abilities and disabilities.