EAST LOTHIAN sprint ace Maria Lyle is off to the Paralympics in Rio, after being named in the ParalympicsGB squad this morning (Thursday).

The 16-year-old from Dunbar, who has cerebral palsy, had been expected to earn selection for the squad.

Lyle, who will run in the T35 100m, 200m and the 4x100m relay, sealed her selection with three gold medals at the recent IPC Athletics European Championships in Italy.

The Dunbar Grammar School pupil is a former world record holder in her individual events, and among the current world record holders for the relay – a record she won just a week ago.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Can't believe I'm going to the Paralympics! Thanks for everyone's support over the last few years <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachTabo">@CoachTabo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SeanTough">@SeanTough</a> 👊🏼👊🏼🇬🇧😬 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToRio?src=hash">#RoadToRio</a></p>— Maria Lyle ∞ (@Lyle_Maria) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lyle_Maria/status/745970880166105089">June 23, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Jamie Bowie, the county's athletics development officer and a Commonwealth Games competitor two years ago, was among the first to pass on his congratulations on social media.

Bowie tweeted: "Congrats miss @Lyle_Maria @Tabohuntley now time to get the real hard work in! #madeinEastLothian"

Paula Dunn, Team Leader for para-athletics and head coach of the Paralympic programme at British Athletics, said: “It’s really exciting to be in a position to announce the first group of athletes for the Paralympic Games.

"Rio has been the main focus for athletes since London 2012 and they have consistently shown that they are ready to take on the world’s best in September.

“Last year in Doha we secured our largest haul of medals since 1998, which highlights the strength in depth across the whole spectrum of events."

Maria joins para-powerlifter Micky Yule, from Wallyford, and Musselburgh swimmer Stephen Clegg in the squad for the Rio Paralympics.

Swimmer Dan Wallace, from North Berwick, will compete at the Olympic Games