Welshpool's Jim Roberts will feature in a brand new BBC documentary in the New Year.

The inspiring story of the Powys athlete who became a wheelchair rugby star will feature in the third series of BBC One Wales' 'Legends of Welsh Sport' which starts next week.

Roberts was a young student at Coventry University when he was struck down with bacterial meningitis. He was in hospital for two and a half years, where he nearly died and underwent a double leg amputation.

County Times: James Roberts after being made a MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) by the Prince of Wales, during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle, Berkshire. Picture date: Tuesday November 8, 2022. Picture by PA Wire/Andrew Matthews

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After leaving hospital, Jim was introduced to wheelchair rugby as part of his recovery.

A talented athlete and highly competitive, he was quickly selected for the Team GB development squad and the national team.

A spell playing for Phoenix Heat in Arizona transformed his understanding of the sport and he returned to the UK determined to help Team GB become the best in the world.

The Paralympic gold medallist was appointed an MBE in the New Year’s honours list for his services to wheelchair rugby in 2022. He retired at the end of that year.

Watch Jim Roberts share his inspiring story:

He said: "I definitely feel proud of my sporting career. I don’t think you can top winning gold at the Paralympics. Not many athletes get to sign off where they want to."

“It’s all about those high-pressure moments and being absolutely terrified before every game. I’m quite happy not to go through those nail-biting moments again to be honest.

“I would never say never to returning to the sport, and I might miss it in a few years’ time. But I would like to get more involved in clay pigeon shooting, it’s something I did growing up.”