THE MOTHER of Tredegar’s Mark Colbourne described her elation as she found out about her son’s third Paralympic Games medal by text message today.

Margaret Colbourne was unable to travel to watch her son take the silver medal in the C1 16km time trial at Brands Hatch.

Due to it not being televised, Mrs Colbourne only heard about her son’s latest success when a friend, who had seen the news on the internet, sent her a text.

Mrs Colbourne said: "I am absolutely elated. He has done so well. I am just over the moon."

The 42-year-old cyclist, who was left with lower leg paralysis after a paragliding accident, finished 12.94 seconds behind Germany’s Michael Teuber in yesterday’s event.

Teuber is the same man who beat Colbourne at the 2011 World Championships.

The silver adds to Colbourne’s gold which he won in the C1 3km individual pursuit and his silver which he took in the C1-2-3 1km time trial on the track at the velodrome last week, watched by Mrs Colbourne and his 18-year-old daughter Jessica.

Colbourne will now go for his fourth medal of the games in the road race which takes place tomorrow.

Mrs Colbourne said: "I am always confident in Mark. He is such an inspiration to everyone. We will be very proud whatever he does."

Speaking about Colbourne’s late father, Cecil, she said: "My husband would have been there every step of the way with Mark."

Colbourne’s success has also seen a cat at animal charity Battersea Dogs and Cats Home named after him.

The charity is naming a dog or cat after every Team GB gold medallist in the Paralympic Games.

The animals will also receive a special gold wrapped treat to mark the victories.