MALVERN mountain biker Liam Killeen led home an English one-two as he secured a Commonwealth gold medal in the baking heat in Melbourne, Australia.

Killeen turned his bronze from the 2002 Manchester games into gold with a superb ride in the men's individual cross-country event.

The drama was played out at around 3am British time yesterday morning (Thursday), over eight 6.4km laps of Victoria State's mountain bike course.

After the race, he dedicated his win to his mother, Kay Coombes, and 93-year-old grandfather, who is battling cancer.

"It was him that got me through the race - he was in my thoughts a lot," he said.

Killeen has long been one of the district's most successful sportsman, with two U23 World Cup titles under his belt. He also competed at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Yesterday, cycling colleagues and Malvern's civic leaders were queuing to congratulate Killeen.

Bob Blinston, of Malvern cycling club, Velo Club Sevale, said: "It's great news. The club is pleased to have helped Liam in some small way by providing facilities for him to ride in our time trials."

Malvern Town Council chairman Ralph Madden said: "I'm absolutely delighted for Liam.

"I offer my congratulations to all the athletes who win gold medals, but it's particularly pleasing that we have someone from Malvern who has achieved this."

Malvern Hills District Council chairman Val Myatt said: "I'm delighted to hear of his success. It's a splendid achievement for him and for our country. I hope it will be an inspiration for other young people in our district."

A spokesman for ARCOS, the Malvern-based charity founded by Kay Coombes, said: "It's great that Liam has won this medal."