Now striker Lee is a super-saver as well

Lee Farrell, 23, has qualified as a lifeguard at Littlehampton Swimming and Sports Centre with an "outstanding performance" to become the UK's first profoundly deaf lifeguard.

It's another fine achievement for Lee, who won last year's BBC South Disabled Sports Personality of the Year award for his goalscoring exploits for the Great Britain football team in last year's Deaflympics, held in Australia.

Lee was the competition's top scorer, with 11 goals in six games, including the last-minute winner in the final against Iran.

When asked to compare the two achievements, he said: "Nothing beats getting the gold medal, but I am really proud of becoming Britain's first known deaf lifeguard."

David Batchelor, the centre manager, said: "The course isn't easy by any standards. Lee gave an outstanding performance and we are all delighted to see him pass and have him on the staff."

Lee, of The Winter Knoll, Littlehampton, has been working as a sports leader for the centre since August, helping run its after-school clubs and the day camps it holds during the school holidays.

In his lifeguarding duties, he will be aided by a vibrating pager that is linked to the centre's newly upgraded alarm system.

One false alarm has proved that the system works.

"When the alarm company were first testing the pager system it was set off to ensure that it worked as it should," said Mr Batchelor. "Lee was at home at the time and he ran into the centre, not knowing it was a test."

The lifeguard course includes extensive first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, simulated rescues and spinal management.

Lee was helped during the course by his friend Andy Smith, 22, who acted as interpreter.

Andy is also a lifeguard at the centre and learned sign language as a result of his long-standing friendship with Lee.

Currently a striker for Lewes Football Club, Lee is next in action on the football pitch for Great Britain against Switzerland on April 29 in London.