Lucy Chenery took first place in the 200metre individual medley, and also performed superbly in the 400m freestyle, where she took silver, and the 100m back stroke and 200m freestyle in which she won bronze medals.

She also finished fourth in three other events.

Her mother, Jane, said: "She is over the moon. The sport has given her something to feel really proud of, it is so positive for her.

"For her to achieve as she has means she has to work very, very hard."

Lucy, who was inspired into swimming by her younger sister Megan, won despite competeting against adults much older than herself.

The Alfriston special school pupil very nearly did not make it to the event as she was suffering from a shoulder injury- but she received expert help from the Elite Physical Medicine clinic in Fairford Leys, whose staff have a wide range of experience treating Olympic athletes.

And representing her country in the world's greatest celebration of sport is something which Jane said appeals to her daughter- but first of all athletes with learning disabilities need to force a change to the Paralympic rules which currently only allow competiton between sportspeople with physical disabilities.

The ban was imposed by the International Paralympic Committee in the wake of controversy at the Sydney Olympics eight years ago, when members of the Spanish basketball team were found to have falsely claimed to have a learning disability.

"We are hoping for this to change by London 2012," said Jane. "That's what we are all after.

"Its about greater recognition and their inclusion, because at the moment they are effectively being excluded."

To sign a petition calling for the ban to be lifted, log on to http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Ban--LD-athletes