MALVERN cyclist Liam Killeen has romped home to victory in the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, producing a stunning comeback to take gold.

The 23-year-old mountain bike ace, a former pupil at the town's Chase High School who won bronze at the last games in Manchester four years ago, later dedicated his win to his mum Kay Coombes and 93-year-old grandfather who is fighting cancer.

News of his victory soon swept Malvern, with his former deputy headteacher Peter Renger among the first to offer congratulations.

"We're all absolutely delighted because it's well-deserved and he's certainly a determined competitor," he said. "I remember his interest in cycling from an early age and it's been a pleasure to follow his progress."

It is not the first time the Geraldine Road school has produced world-class cyclists - former pupil Ceris Gilfillan competed in the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

The champion - son of the Irish-born acoustic blues guitarist and painter Will Killeen - still lives in Malvern, where his mum also lives.

Colin Robinson, landlord of the Lamb in West Malvern - where Will often plays - said: "I think it's marvellous and a great achievement as I remember seeing him in the Olympics."

Killeen is often seen practising on the hills and he has also ridden time trials with the town's VC Sevale cycling club.

Club treasurer Michael Amery said it was excellent news to hear of someone local doing so well.

He added: "He's been among the top mountain-bikers for a while so it's no surprise but it's brilliant he's done that and it bodes well for the Olympics in a couple of years' time."

Paul Birley, owner of bike shop Back on Track in Malvern's North Malvern Road - which Liam often uses - said: "We're delighted for him. Watching him at the Olympics when he stormed through to fifth place was amazing.

"I've been watching him keenly since, confident he was going to do well."

Twenty-four-year-old Brian Earp, of Malvern bike shop Mycycles, in Worcester Road, used to study at The Chase with him.

He said: "It's quite an achievement but doesn't come as a surprise to me because I've often seen him riding past."

Killeen's neighbour, 80-year-old Marged Verbist, said: "I was so pleased when I saw it on the news, he waved his England banner over his head and I wished he could have put Malvern on it."

Killeen - who pushed himself so hard he was ill after the race - was recovering in bed in a bid to be fit to compete with the English team in the road race event on Sunday.

"It's a pretty special feeling and it hasn't completely sunk in yet," he said.

"I'm happy I've come here and achieved what I set out to do.

"I stuck to my plan. I was aiming for gold throughout."