BASKETBALL: COMEBACK star Anna Jackson netted a silver medal on her return to the Great Britain Women's Wheelchair team.

Anna, of Upton, Chester, was selected in the squad of 12 which finished second to France in the Paralympic World Cup in Manchester.

Experienced Anna, who has played at two World Championships, won bronze at two European Championships and competed at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, was gutted to lose her place for last year's Paralympics in Athens.

But new coach Garry Peel reinstated her for the World Cup and Anna, 33, repaid his faith - top-scoring with 14 points in the 46-25 victory over Spain in the group phase.

This coupled with a comfortable 66-15 win over international newcomers Sweden was enough to book Britain's passage into the next stage.

A 38-26 defeat to France in the pool play-off meant Anna and her team were matched up with Spain in the semi-final, which they won 52-37 to secure a place in the final and a shot at the gold medal.

Unfortunately, the French proved too strong, winning 55-34, but Anna was delighted with her return to the fold.

She said: 'We started off really well in the final but could not keep the momentum going, which was a bit of a disappointment.

'But the silver medal is a good reward for a new-look team who have only trained together twice with our new coach.

'I am really pleased to be back in the squad having had the disappointment of not being selected for Athens.'

Anna first took up wheelchair basketball in 1997 and is now club captain of Chester Jets Wheelchair team.

She said: 'We are keen to recruit new players to the Chester Wheelchair Jets. Anyone can play - you don't have to have a disability and we welcome any age and any ability level.'

Want to play wheelchair basketball? Chester Jets Wheelchair team is looking for recruits, including able-bodied players.

Call 07711 356541 or e-mail chesterwheelchairjets@ yahoo.co.uk