ALEX CRAWLEY was given a hero's welcome when he arrived back at school with four medals yesterday after skiing for Britain in the World Transplant Winter Games.

He was cheered by fellow pupils as he showed them his two gold and two silver medals at Teesdale Comprehensive School, in Barnard Castle, County Durham.

Alex, 16, won one of the games' toughest events near Milan, in Italy -the one-mile slalom, in 51 seconds.

His other gold came in curling, a sport he had never played before, when his team of four won after a close game against Austria.

Alex, of Middleton in Teesdale, gained silvers in the super slalom and giant slalom.

His mother, Barbara, said: "I am absolutely thrilled. He went mainly for the experience, and did not expect any medals at all.

"To come back with four is really wonderful."

Alex was taught to ski by his grandmother, Janet Crawley, during holidays in France, but there has not been enough snow for him to ski in Teesdale in the past three years.

He received a kidney transplant from his father, Andrew, 13 years ago and has to go for check-ups in London several times a year.

He competed in the junior section of the games, but his slalom time was beaten by only three senior competitors.

His brother, Josh, 13, who went with him to the games, won a bronze medal in a giant slalom race for friends and relatives, and a prize for off-piste skiing.

Alex said: "It was a tremendous experience, and I am delighted to come home with some medals. I hope to go to the world games again next year.