BY rights Tom Brown should be confined to a wheelchair and not racing around a speedway track twice a week.

At nine months old Tom's heart twice stopped beating in hospital and his body was packed in ice as he battled septic arthritis.

He survived the life-threatening illness but his parents were told that his right leg would not grow properly and that Tom would never be able to walk.

But 17 years later Tom, from Ty Pwca Road, West Pontnewydd, Cwmbran, has confounded those doctors to become a speedway star who is paid to travel to Cumbria to race for Premier team Workington - a 670-mile round trip.

The brave youngster, who is registered as disabled, is the latest local young person to be nominated in the Argus' Young and Positive campaign - which carries a £500 first prize from Consignia.

Said Tom: "I race for Newport Mavericks and Workington up in Cumbria and they pay for my father's travelling expenses.

"I started two years ago when Newport's club started up again and even though most of my right hip joint does not work I'm quite good for my age."

Tom has even adapted his disability for the strains of speedway. He added: "You're supposed to stand up but I can't, so I have to make do by sitting down, but it works for me. "I am aware that one bad fall could be bad but I try and fall on my left side whenever I crash."

Tom was nominated for the Young and Positive award by Heidi Murray from Blaenavon, who organises away travel for Newport speedway club.

She has known Tom for two years and admires his courage: "I have never heard him complain about or use his handicap to gain sympathy.

"He has adapted his racing style to overcome his difficulties, he is always positive and cheerful and just says 'you just get used to the pain'."

Tom, who is an apprentice mechanic with a Newport garage, insists that his disability should not get in the way of his dreams. He said: "It used to bother me but now I refuse to let it rule my life."

l Young and Positive is not the only award Tom is in the running for - he has also been nominated for Disabil-ity Sports Person of the Year at this Friday's Newport Sports Awards, which will be held at the Newport Centre.