Updated: August 13, 2012
'You did Burnham-On-Sea proud!' MP and Mayor praise Liam Phillips

Burnham-On-Sea's MP and Mayor have said BMX racer Liam Phillips 'did the town proud' when he reached the final of the London 2012 Olympics.

Liam, 23, raced in the final on Friday following superb performances in last Thursday and Friday's qualification rounds, but sadly crashed out in the crucial final race, ending his hopes of winning a medal, as we covered here.

Burnham's MP Tessa Munt told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "I think Liam did brilliantly to reach the BMX final - he did Burnham and Somerset proud."

"I hope he gets all the help and support he needs to reach Rio in four years time and I wish him every success in the future."

Burnham and Highbridge Mayor Ken Smout added: "Liam has made Burnham proud. To have represented his country on a world stage and to have finished in the top eight of his sport is a great achievement."

"His involvement with the Olympics and his connections with Burnham have been great for the town and the community is proud of what he has done."

Burnham County Councillor Peter Burridge-Clayton told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "After his injury earlier in the year it was an astonishing achievement to reach the BMX final and we are all very proud of him. We wish him well for the future."

Adam Brazil, a friend of Liam's and a Burnham BMX Club member speaking on behalf of the club, added: "Liam was exceptional last week - it was a huge step up for him to reach the final after getting to the quarter finals at the Beijing Olympics. We were all gutted when he unclipped in the final and crashed, but everyone hopes that he will bounce back and do really well in Rio in four years' time."

Liam was raised in Burnham-On-Sea and went to Highbridge's King Alfred School. Both his parents were involved in BMX and Liam's father is a former national coach who helped to set up the Burnham BMX Club. Liam still rides for the Burnham club and visits the club and his family in Burnham frequently.