Wheelchair athlete David Weir was praised by the mayor of Sutton after a hat-trick of wins at the IPC athletics world championships.

The 31-year-old from Wallington produced some of the best performances of his career to win gold in the 800m, 1500m and 5000m in the championships in Christchurch, New Zealand last week.

Mayor Coun Margaret Court said: “To win one gold is impressive but to win three in a single championships is a remarkable achievement, which augurs well for London 2012.

“David is one of the finest athletes Sutton has ever produced and is a wonderful ambassador for the borough. We are all very proud of his accomplishments.”

The athlete could even have won four gold medals at the championships, but pulled out of Sunday’s marathon for safety reasons.

Weir is one of the most successful wheelchair racers in the sport’s history, taking double gold at the Beijing Paralympic Games and winning the London Marathon four times.

In 2009, he became the first resident in more than 30 years to receive the Freedom of the Borough – almost two decades after a council grant helped launch his career.