A six-year-old aspiring paralympian had his "dream come true" when he shook hands with Prince Harry at the Invictus Games on Saturday.

Bushey Heath schoolboy Rio Woolf was born without a tibia, knee or ankle joint because of rare condition tibial aplasia and had his leg amputated at 14 months.

The Hartsbourne Primary School pupil was watching a wheelchair basketball event at the Invictus Games at the weekend when he met the prince.

Mum Juliette thanked Prince Harry for launching the games, which she said have inspired young amputees like Rio.

She said: "Prince Harry was so generous with his time, despite a very busy schedule, and took a great interest in Rio's latest prosthetic leg - a water activity limb from Dorset Orthopaedic - so Rio's new leg has now received the royal seal of approval."

Rio has his own lightweight running blade and dreams of winning his own Paralympics gold medal in a few years.

He met several of his heroes at the games, including London 2012 Paralympian and double gold medallist and silver medallist at the Invictus Games, Derek Derenalagi.

Juliette said the service men and women competing in the games were great role models for her son.

She said: "It was such a huge honour for us to meet Prince Harry and to shake his hand and to congratulate him on the phenomenal success of the Invictus Games.

"The Invictus Games have also inspired the next generation - just like the London 2012 Paralympics did - continuing the momentum of the London 2012 legacy.

"But it was even more moving than the Paralympics, knowing what terror and suffering these brave men and women have endured and to see them embracing the power of sport after such life-changing injuries is just wonderful.

"They are living life to the full and inspiring not just their fellow injured service men and women, but also the civilian public and the next generation, especially child amputees like Rio who was in his element meeting his Invictus Games heroes and comparing ‘special legs’ with them.

"Although we as a family don't have any connection to the military, we have a natural affinity to these wounded warriors and have been so incredibly moved by their courage - they are such great role models for Rio and all differently-abled children, especially the young amputee community."

Rio's parents are fundraising to provide his future lightweight prosthetic limbs so that he can live life to the full and pursue his Paralympic dream.

To donate visit http://www.justgiving.com/run-rio-run and for more information visit http://www.run-rio-run.co.uk; follow Rio on: www.facebook.com/RioWoolf; www.twitter.com/@BladeBoyRio