Eleanor Simmonds, named as part of a 36-strong swimming team to represent Britain in the Paralympics, will be only 13 years nine months and 26 days when the Games open in Beijing on September 6.

That will make her the second youngest British Paralympian in history after Joanne Round, who was 12 when she competed in the Seoul Games in 1988.

But Simmonds will be six months younger than diver Thomas Daley, who has been selected for the Olympics.

Simmonds was born with achondroplasia and took up swimming after the Paralympics in Athens four years ago.

She said: "I was just want to do my best and break my personal best."

Simmonds is joined by other Paralympic debutants, including 14-year-old Elizabeth Simpkin, 19-year-old Kate Grey, 18-year-old Rachael Latham and 15-year-old Louise Watkin.

In contrast, Paralympic champions Dave Roberts, Sascha Kindred, Nyree Lewis, Natalie Jones and Gareth Duke have also been selected to travel to the Beijing Games with the goal of defending their titles and adding to their personal medal hauls.

British Swimming national performance director Tim Reddish said: "The team has a good mix of youth and experience, with 45 per cent of the team attending their first Paralympic Games.

"This is really pleasing because it will prove to be beneficial for all of our athletes, coaches
 and support staff.

"The average age of this squad is younger than the one that competed in Athens and this demonstrates that the systems and programmes that British Swimming have in place are working well.

"It's pleasing to see that a number of records have fallen during the past two competitions.

"The priority is to break British records because this shows that as a nation we are improving but to see European and world records tumbling is a good indicator of where we are on the world stage.

"Our athletes and their coaches now need to focus upon their preparations for Beijing to continue improving and if they succeed in this I can see them being able to get in the hunt for medals at the Beijing Paralympic Games."

ParalympicsGB chief executive Phil Lane, said: "Swimming has traditionally been one of the most successful Paralympic sports in terms of medals at previous Games. 

"We are delighted to receive nominations for a squad of 36 athletes who we hope will continue this success in Beijing.

"The number of emerging youngsters that have been nominated for their first Paralympic Games is testament to how successfully British Swimming nurture and develop new talent but its also exciting to see so many established Paralympians returning to the ParalympicsGB squad to defend the titles won in Athens."

World Championship medallist Louise Watkin said: "I am overjoyed to have been nominated for my first Paralympic Games.

"It really has made all of the hard-work worthwhile.

"It looks like it will be a really exciting event.

"I will be looking forward to the challenge of competing at the Paralympics, I know it will be like nothing I have ever been to before but I think I will be able to stay focused and do the best that I can."