NEWBIGGIN swimmer Thomas Young finds himself on the world stage again this weekend as the BT Paralympic World Cup returns to Manchester.

Young, 20, finished last season in top form by claiming 400m freestyle gold at the World IPC Swimming Championships in Eindhoven.

And after a strong performance at the British Championships which saw him claim gold, two silvers and a bronze, Young returns to the pool that has served him so well in his build up to the London 2012 Paralympics.

In Manchester last summer, Young was on the top step of the podium in the 100m backstroke in a new British record of 1.08.13 and is aiming to recapture that form ahead of the European Championships in Berlin in July.

He said: “This season has gone really well so far – I got PBs in all my events at the British Championships and that really bodes well.

“And so hopefully I’ll be in good shape for the Paralympic World Cup – everything so far suggests that so fingers crossed because it’s a competition I enjoy taking part in.”

Young has been abroad to Doha and Majorca for warm weather training this year and will come up against familiar foes in the shape of Brits and Paralympic champion Sam Hynd and Beijing 2008 bronze medallist Sean Fraser.

He said: “When we get to Manchester we’ll get to test ourselves against each other in the heat of competition, straight after some heavy training.

“There will also be some of the American guys in Manchester which should be a good test and one that we don’t get to do that often.”

Ahead of the European Championships Young said he feels a need to upgrade his double silver from the European Championships in Reykjavijk two years ago if he is to finish the Paralympics next year on top of the podium.

“The Europeans are in July and that’s what I’m really looking forward to,” said Young. “I got two silver medals and a bronze and hopefully I’ll do the same this time around, if not get to the top of the podium.

“It’s really important because there’s not a long time until London 2012 and so this will reflect on how things are likely to go at the Paralympics next year.”

must keep last par - The BT Paralympic World Cup is taking place in Manchester from 23-28 May with elite international athletes competing in Swimming, Athletics and Wheelchair Basketball. Go to www.btparalympicworldcup.com for tickets and more information