The 15 year-old member of Huntingdon Piranhas has made rapid progress this year but is determined to save the best for when it really matters.

She will line up in the freestyle events over 50m, 100m and 400m and is out to swim faster than she ever has done before.

Steadman said: “I am surprised at how much I have improved in such a little time. In most races I’ve swum I’ve improved my technique and speed and I hope that will continue all the way to Beijing.

“Just getting to Beijing this year is a bonus for me, and I intend to enjoy my time out there, but obviously I want to perform to my best.

“I will also use these Games as a motivation for the next four years and use the experience to help me continue succeeding in future competitions.”

Steadman has not let her prosthetic right arm hold her back and last year was a pivotal year for her.

She won a top scholarship to the renowned Kelly College in Devon and started on a strict training programme in September.

She was also accepted onto the British Swimming World Class Athletics Development programme and had a call-up to the GB squad.

She added: “Since coming to Kelly, my training has improved and my confidence has been boosted.

“The British Disability Championships was when I realised I could perhaps qualify and go to Beijing.

“It was an important meet where I knew I had to prove myself. I was aiming to improve my personal best times and my coach at Kelly, Robin Brew, told me a qualify time was well within my reach.

“In the weeks leading up to the trials he explained that if I tried hard enough the Paralympics were well within my reach.

“Success is like climbing a mountain – always focusing on what lies ahead, but now and again you look back at how far you have come.

“I realise just how much I have achieved. I am concentrating on continuing trying to beat my personal bests and becoming faster and fitter, and hoping to improve further with all the time and effort everyone’s putting in for me.”

Steadman’s call-up has delighted John Richards, head coach at Huntingdon Piranhas.

“This is just reward for all her hard work, her dedication to swimming and her success at regional, national and international level over the last year,” he said.

“Lauren’s outstanding swimming ability was very evident from the minute she joined the Piranhas in June 2005.

“She is proficient in all four strokes, but it is her freestyle ability that has really impressed the selectors.

“She is an extraordinarily dedicated swimmer and we originally had high hopes for the 2012 Paralympics.

“But her success this year, including a 10-medal haul at the Junior National Disability Championships where she picked up the title of under-18 swimmer of the weekend, has made 2008 a reality.