Delighted wheelchair athlete Simon Lawson still can't quite believe that his dream to complete in the Rio Games is coming true.

Simon is one of 54 ParalympicsGB track and field athletes heading to Brazil to compete in September's Games.

Maryport medal hopeful Simon, 34, has won a coveted place to compete in the men's marathon on September 18 - the final day of the Games - and will line up for the British team alongside David Weir.

"I'm chuffed to bits and so excited; I'm really looking forward to it," said Simon, from Maryport. "I can't wait to go but part of me doesn't really believe it has happened."

A call from his coach late on Monday night revealing the news meant Simon was not able to tell anyone until ParalympicsGB announced its track and field squad yesterday (TUES).

Simon, who missed London 2012 due to illness, is now awaiting further details of when he will is expected to travel to South America.

He could have the option of going to a training camp for two weeks prior to his race.

Simon was paralysed in a motorbike accident in 2001 but started seriously training as an athlete in 2010.

He is a familiar sight on the roads around his family's home in Maryport and he trains regularly at the Sands Centre in Carlisle.

He clocks up over 150 miles a week, training six days a week.

"Watching London 2012 was when I knew that this what I wanted to do and since then getting to Rio has been a real goal," said Simon.

He has an idea of what is in store with details and footage of the 26.2-mile course in Brazil already being analysed by coaches and athletes.

Simon said: "From what I've seen of the course, I think it will suit me.

"There are some similarities to what I'm used to here at home. It's by the coast, like Cumbria but it's by Copacabana beach."

Simon's parents Kath and Steve are considering whether to jet out to watch their son race.

They own Jack Horseman Motorcycles on London Road in Carlisle where Simon is a mechanic.

Simon's proud mum Kath revealed the moment she found out that he'd made it to Rio.

She said: "It is the best news in the world.

"He got an email through the other day which said if they got chosen they had to have some injections at their doctors.

"Then I was just washing up some cups in the kitchen at home when he asked whether I had the doctor's number. When I asked why he said "I'm going to need those injections". For a split second I didn't realise at first what he meant but when the penny dropped there were hugs and tears."

She added: "If someone had told me that first week 15 years ago when he was critical after the accident that he'd be doing this one day I wouldn't have believed them but from day one he has been so determined in everything he's done. All disabled athletes are so determined and train so hard, they all need medals."

The track and field squad also features Newcastleton's Libby Clegg.

It is a double cause for celebration for sprinter Libby, who broke the world record in the new T11 200m at the Anniversary Games in London on Saturday.

Rio will be Libby's third Paralympics but the first for her guide Chris Clarke.

A Commonwealth champion in 2014 and silver medalist at London 2012, Libby was reclassified as a T11 athlete earlier this year.

Libby has missed a number of major competitions over the last few years through illness and injury but is now hoping to clinch a medal in Rio.

She said: "I'm delighted to be selected for my third Paralympic Games. It's been a whirlwind of a journey since London after a number of injuries but it's great to come through the other side and be a part of a really strong ParalympicsGB team heading out to Rio.

"Having changed classification recently, Saturday's performance in London was beyond our wildest expectations. However, we are now focused to getting amongst the medals and we can't wait to get going."

Joining them in the track and field line up is former serviceman Dave Henson, who took up sport following his rehabilitation from injury in Afghanistan in 2011.

The double amputee and sprinter was among those who worked with Prince Harry to create the Invictus Games for injured service personnel, later taking part and named captain of the British team.

Yesterday's announcement takes the number of selected athletes for ParalympicsGB to 256 competing in 19 sports.