A disabled table tennis player from Bury has beaten an ex-paralympic medallist to win silver at an open tournament in Liverpool.

Steve Parry entered the Merseyside ranked contest, which was held at the Greenbank Sports Academy, taking part in both the doubles and individual tournaments.

Parry, who became disabled three years ago due to a rare spinal cord malformation, has been playing wheelchair table tennis for two years and competing in ranked tournaments for a year.

“I have entered four ranked tournaments so far.

“I was awarded best up-and-coming new player in my first, gold in my second, and silver and bronze in the last one.

The 47-year-old, who lives in Ainsworth, took part in the two-day tournament in December, where Steve and his doubles partner beat ex-paralympic medallist Tony Edge and Mark Swift to win the silver medal.

He went on to win a bronze medal in his individual contest.

Steve, who is ranked number five in the class five wheelchair section, took up the sport after surgery failed to cure his spinal problem.

He said: “After two lots of major surgery it unfortunately left me paralysed from the waist down,” said Parry.

“I was also diagnosed with a cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM). When this happened, it turned my life upside down.

“Luckily I was introduced to wheelchair table tennis, which I seemed to adapt to very well, and one day I hope to become part of the GB squad.”

In April 2011, less than seven months after spinal surgery, Steve took part in a swimathon for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

He said: “I swam 60 lengths just using my arms. I raised around £500 and was awarded a medal and a T Shirt for my efforts.”

To sponsor Steve on a yearly basis call 07876106380.