WOOLSTON archer John Stubbs has been given the honour of being one of Team GB’s flag-bearers at the Paralympic Games opening ceremony.

The 56-year-old – the oldest member of the Great Britain team – will carry the Union Jack at tomorrow’s ceremony in Tokyo alongside swimmer Ellie Simmonds.

Stubbs will be competing at his fourth Paralympics and will be looking for a second gold medal to add to the one he won in Beijing in 2008.

He explained how 2021 had been “torrid” on a personal level but that being selected to carry the GB flag was “an absolute honour.”

"It's an absolute honour to be representing ParalympicsGB as flag bearer alongside Ellie," he said.

"For any elite athlete to go to the Games and be bestowed this honour is a privilege. Words can't describe what it means to me.

"It's been a torrid year - unfortunately I lost my Dad in January.

“He was my biggest fan, and hopefully if he's looking down on me, he's there saying, 'do it for the Stubbs family John, you've earned it and you deserve it'.

“I know my family will be as proud as punch."

ParalympicsGB’s chef de mission Penny Briscoe added: "Both Ellie and John exemplify what it means to be a ParalympicsGB athlete.

“Their excellence on the field of play as well as their integrity, leadership and commitment to the team is something very special," she said.

"I have no doubt that by their example they will inspire the whole of the team to achieve great things over the coming 12 days of competition."