HE’S almost there.

Lydney parathlete hopeful Andy Lewis is now European champion after competing in the European Championships in Lisbon.

The 33-year-old said: “I can’t believe it. It’s great as I’m now well within reach of Rio selection. In the run-up to the day I was struggling to sleep, sweating and starting to feel sick. The pressure was enormous.

“To win this is not bad for a lad from the Forest.”

Andy competed against 15 others including the first and second world champion and swam 750m, cycled 20km and ran 5km in 1hr 10mins.

“At one point I had to refocus and while doing so noticed the world champion come past me. I decided I wouldn’t let him get too far away and kept him in my sights while not losing concentration on my own race.

“As I approached the finishing line little did I know I was ahead of my German competition by four minutes. I’d smashed it. Afterwards I was speechless. I’m over the moon.”

“My future is a lot brighter. Nothing has been confirmed yet and realistically until you get that call or letter from Paralympics GB Rio isn’t guaranteed,” Andy added. He’ll finds out later this month.