An autistic man from Strawberry Hill has successfully won a string of medals at the Special Olympics National Ski Championships in Switzerland.

29- Year-old Stefan Nakonecny went to Crans Montana between February 1, and February 8 where he managed to secure two bronze medals in the Giant Slalom on February 4, and at the Slalom disciplines on February 6.

He also came in forth place in the Super G competition.

Stefan’s father - Jeremy Nakonecny said: "Around 15 years ago the family spent a week in Vermont where we thought we’d try some skiing.

"We were totally astonished to watch Stefan fly down the slope on his first ever run, in and out of poles as if he’d been skiing all his life.

"We think that he must have watched skiers on television and copied their action.

"When we got home we researched skiing for people with learning disabilities and found a very active group in Surrey who train at the Aldershot dry slope.

‘We are all extremely proud of Stef - he’s a very physical young man and gets a huge amount out of his Special Olympics sports."

Stefan also competes in Special Olympic cycling and competed in the competition's highest band of its advanced category.

The Special Olympics National Ski Championships is part of the global Olympic movement and was designed for people living with learning disabilities as opposed to the Para Olympics - which has been designed for people living with physical disabilities.

At least 150 skiers took part in the competition and each competitor was placed in a division according to their ability.