Richard Whitehead wins gold on another stellar day for Team GB at Rio Paralympics

Team GB enjoyed another great day at the Rio Paralympics, winning 21 medals to take their overall total to 56. Richard Whitehead, Bethany Firth and Jo Butterfield all won gold to extend Great Britain's stellar start to the event.

Whitehead defended his T42 200m title in a time of 23.39 seconds, with teammate Dave Henson taking the bronze medal. "I won gold at the Invictus Games in 2014 and a week later I gave up smoking and thought I'd give Rio a bash," the 40 year old subsequently told Channel 4.

"It just shows you what you can do. People suggested I go for Tokyo but I said I would go to Rio and medal. Five and a half years ago I nearly died. I've got my wife and daughter watching at home. Words can't express how thankful I am for their support."

Meanwhile, Firth dominated the S14 200m freestyle in the swimming pool, winning gold in 2.03.30 ahead of GB teammate Jessica-Jane Applegate.

Elsewhere in Rio, club thrower Jo Butterfield (F51) broke the world record to win another gold for Team GB. The former army civil servant, who was paralysed after an operation on a tumour on her spinal cord, extended her own mark with an impressive throw of 22.81m.

Britain enjoyed further success earlier in the day in rowing and cycling. Rachel Morris, who won road cycling time trial gold in Beijing in 2008, claimed victory in the arm-shoulders single scull.

Lauren Rowles and Laurence Whiteley saw off stiff competition from China in the double sculls event to win another gold, while James Fox, Pam Relph, Dan Brown and Grace Clough defended Team GB's crown in the mixed coxed four.

In the velodrome, meanwhile, Lora Turnham won the individual pursuit as Sophie Thornhill and pilot Helen Scott took bronze.