Simon Lawson has apologised for his performance at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games.

The Maryport wheelchair athlete has posted a message on his Facebook page from Rio the day after he came 14th in the men's T54 marathon.

He finished the race in an exhausting heat, despite his water pack breaking during the warm-up.

He said: "Sorry I didn't deliver the goods on race day.

"My waterpack bust during warm up and had to run the whole marathon with no water.

"I got up with the front guys for about four miles but had to back off, I couldn't run that fast pace with no hydration in that heat yesterday. It was tough.

"Massive thank you to all my friends and family and everyone for such amazing support over the past few months up to the Games and while out here.

"Every single, like, comment, message, card, donation has been such massive help.

"Thank you to ParalympicsGB and the whole team of staff.

"Also massive thanks to David Weir CBE for your help out here in my first Paralympic Games and over the last few years. Really appreciate what you've done for me."

His post received more than 100 messages of support in minutes.

Shane Stewardson said: "Amazing effort especially with no water your a gold medalist to everyone in Cumbria you've done us so proud! Be proud of your efforts."

Kieran Hunter posted: "You've done Cumbria proud mate."

Liz Fleming said: "No need to apologise, you got there and thats more than enough, anything else would have been a bonus. Be proud of your efforts, we are!"

Cumbria’s only representative at the Paralympics, Simon, a former British championship rider, was involved in a motorbike accident which left him paralysed from the chest down after he sustained serious injuries in a crash while practising in July 2001.

He only turned to athletics in 2010.

Lawson is coached by Ian Thompson, who trained and is married to, legendary Paralympic athlete Tanni Grey-Thompson.