A PRISON officer has been bitten by the competitive bug after returning from his first international event with three medals.

Jim Nangle, a 52-year-old Scotsman who works at Durham Jail, was part of the England and Wales prison service contingent which represented the British team in the World Police and Fire Games, in Barcelona, Spain, recently.

Taking part in his first major competition in static rowing, on a C2000 ergometer, Jim achieved his best score to win a silver medal behind more experienced Metropolitan police officer Derek Boulton in the individual event.

When he teamed up with Derek, they comfortably won the doubles and, for good measure, Jim completed a set of medals by winning bronze with a Canadian officer in the open mixed pairs.

Jim, a former Durham City rugby player, only took to static rowing when a new gym opened for prison officers last year.

Inspired by his success in Barcelona, he is keen to pursue more glory in future competitions, including the World Police and Fire Games, in Quebec, Canada, in two years.

Jim was accompanied by his wife Lyn, in Barcelona, where they used facilities developed for the 1992 Olympic Games.

She said: "It was absolutely fantastic. There were 10,000 competitors and it was said to be second biggest sports' competition after the Olympics. We took part in the opening ceremony in the Olympic stadium at Montjuic.

"Because it was Jim's first competition, he got a lot of support and lots of tips from other competitors, which he can work on to improve his performance."

Jim's immediate target is the Prison Service Sports Association Games in Newbould Revell, near Coventry, in October.