The 29-year-old had high expectations going into the competition in Chorley but he couldn't repeat his success at the European Championships in March where he grabbed two gold medals.

He said: "The atmosphere at the games was great after the Olympics but I did not do as well as I had wanted. There were certain things that did not go well for me but I am just going to look ahead."

However, the Chorley AC athlete believes a persistant back problem which has been affecting him all year was one of the reasons why he was not successful.

He said: "I am not back in training yet as I am visiting the doctors over my back as I have found when I am running there is a sharp pain.

"I think it would improve my performance if I was able to lift my knees higher and give me more power coming off the bends.

"I am going to have to knuckle down and I want to be in good shape for the next championships in New Zealand in Christchurch in two years time."

Ballard is one of the athletes looking forward to taking centre stage when the paralympics are in London.

"The games in 2012 is likely to be the last time I get a gold medal and a place on the podium, as life goes on and you cannot run for ever," he said.

"However I am excited about my parents being able to watch me as they could not go to Bejiing and Athens."