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The man responsible for improving Great Britain's medal haul in track and field at the London 2012 Paralympics believes his athletes face greater challenges than their Olympic counterparts.

The hugely experienced Peter Eriksson was brought in as head Paralympic coach at UK Athletics after GB won just two gold medals in athletics at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing, where they finished 18th in the sport's medal table.

The Swede has made some significant changes, including cutting the funding of under-performing athletes and investing in world-class coaching and facilities.

The 59-year-old is adamant funding is an investment not a subsidy for every athlete under his direction and he is seeking huge improvements in performance as a result.  

If you don’t medal then you are not on podium funding year to year - Peter Eriksson

"Instead of having a rewards programme as it was before, where you stayed on the team forever, now it is about investing in medals," he said.

"It is tougher to be on the Paralympic team than the Olympic team. If you don’t medal then you are not on podium funding year to year. 

"It has upped the standard quite a bit on the team."

In the four-year period between 2009 and 2013, UK Athletics receives £6.685m in total funding from UK Sport to invest in medal-winning athletes, coaching and facilities at the 2012 Paralympics.

Eriksson says Britain's goal is to finish in the top eight in London with five or six gold medals, which considerably improves the possibility of an increase in funding for the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.

The coach earned his reputation working with Canada's wheelchair athletes, helping them to win 119 medals in the previous seven Paralympics, including an unprecedented 14 golds for Chantal Petitclerc, the most decorated disabled athlete in history.

The duo worked together for 18 years as Petitclerc became the world's most successful wheelchair racer, adding numerous World Championships golds to her Paralympic collection.

And the 42-year-old, who retired from racing after winning five golds at the 2008 Beijing Games, has been persuaded to join Eriksson's coaching staff as a mentor to Great Britain's best wheelchair racers, including Shelly Woods and Hannah Cockroft.

UK Athletics is giving them the tools to maximise performances - Chantal Petitclerc

"Great Britain has always been recognised as a good team with lots of potential but they could improve," she said. 

"I knew the direction the team has taken getting ready for London. They have decided to be really professional in every single aspect and I’ve seen it in meetings. 

"I didn’t have anything like this four years ago. They are very privileged but at the same time UK Athletics is really giving them the tools to maximise their performances and that’s very positive."

As well as Petitclerc, Lloyd Cowan, coach of 400m Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu and the women's 4x400m relay team, which won gold at the World Indoor Championships in Istanbul this month, will be part of the Paralympic backroom staff.

World-renowned American coach Dan Pfaff, throwing expert Jim Edwards and Canadian 2004 Paralympic marathon silver medallist Kelly Smith are also among Eriksson's experienced team.

- For all your latest news ahead of the 2012 Paralympics, follow @C4Paralympics on Twitter and like the C4Paralympics Facebook page

- Prior to the Paralympic Games this summer, watch Aviva GB&NI athletes in action in other events across the UK. Go to www.uka.org.uk for details