TEAM GB’s safe pair of hands at the Rio 2016 Paralympics was provided by a 19-year-old from Chard.

Giles Moore was the nation’s top shot-stopper, as Great Britain finished fifth in Brazil.

He also appeared as Yeovil Town FC’s guest of honour at the weekend.

Giles, who went to Neroche Primary School and Holyrood Academy, is in the category of cerebral palsy players.

He returned from Rio last Tuesday before heading straight back to university in Gloucester on the Wednesday.

Giles’ mum Maria said: “It was amazing. It was a bit of a whirlwind.

“It was lovely because we went over there as well and there were quite a few other families supporting as well.

“We did it all ourselves, like many other families did.

“They were in quite a challenging group with Ukraine, Brazil and Ireland.

“Ukraine are ranked best in the world.

“They finished fifth which is what they intended.

“That is the highest they have ever come before.

“They played very well and only narrowly lost to both Ukraine and Brazil, who finished with gold and silver.

“He had a great time and he was also in the audience for The Last Leg, which is a Channel 4 programme about the paralympics. It was just an amazing experience.

“He started playing football at school and lots of schools are contacted about disability sports.

“He went to summer camps and things and put on the line of Stroud College.

“There he met Tony Rich, the Yeovil Town Ladies’ goalkeeping coach. He put him on the line of the FA.

“It was all very quick. Basically he went to talent weekends and was brought up into the England team.

“He just plays for England and then Team GB at the paralympics. He trains with them once a month.”

Giles is a lifetime fan of Yeovil Town FC and before he set off for Brazil, the club found out about his amazing achievements.

“Giles was invited to the ground and they gave him a shirt and he stayed for lunch,” Maria added.

“On Saturday they invited him back.

“He was their guest of honour and he got to put the ball down on the pitch before the game,” she added.