GREAT Britain’s rowers led the way on a golden start to day four at the Rio Paralympics.

They won three gold medals from four finals with a dominant performance.

Bromsgrove’s Lauren Rowles and Laurence Whiteley triumphed in the mixed double sculls event.

They lived up to the promise they showed in winning their heat in a world best time to claim gold in the final.

Rowles, 18, said: “It’s incredible. We’ve been working for a year-and-a-half to get to this point day in day out. It means so much to us.

“With the coaches, we are the best prepared team.

“You look round for a moment and think, ‘Have I actually done this?’, and then when you realise you have it’s the best feeling.

“It’s the relief to have it done. We had to go out and execute it well.”

The pairing of Whiteley and Rowles only started last year when the former North Bromsgrove High School pupil moved from wheelchair racing to rowing.

They claimed silver at last year's world championships and in Rio today beat a Chinese duo and French crew.

Worcester Swimming Club’s Rebecca Redfern, from Droitwich Spa, secured a silver medal on her Paralympics debut in the women’s SB13 100-metre breaststroke.

After posting one minute 17.08 seconds to win her heat, she set another personal best in the final of 1.13.81 only for her world record to be smashed by 17-year-old Fotimakhon Amilova from Uzbekistan in 1.12.45.

Redfern, 16, said: “I'm really happy.

"I came into the Games not expecting anything and to come out with something is great.

"I can't deal with it at the moment. I'm so overwhelmed and it has been an amazing experience.

"Being a youngster, I know I have all of these to come. It is a good foundation to start on. I'm going for gold in four years time."

GB women’s wheelchair basketball team, who train at the University of Worcester Arena, beat reigning Paralympic champions Germany 50-45.

Helen Freeman and Amy Conroy both scored 14 points in the victory with Laurie Williams also contributing 10 ahead of tonight’s final Group A match against hosts Brazil.

The men beat Germany 66-52 to make it four wins in their pool and they face the USA today having already reached the knockout stages.