Last updated at 09:35, Monday, 26 May 2014

Workington Comets have axed Chris Mills from the team following a disappointing start to the season for the British rider.

Owner Laura Morgan announced the decision to part company with the reserve rider on the clubs website shortly after Comets Premier League match away to Berwick Bandits was rained off on Saturday.

She said: Tonight Steve [Whitehead], Tony [Jackson] and I have had to do one of the hardest jobs in speedway and that is to tell a rider he doesn't have a team place anymore.

We told Chris Mills tonight at the Berwick rain-off meeting that we have found it necessary to change the team to try and strengthen it for the remainder of the season.

As always from the beginning, when Chris joined the team, he was a gentleman to deal with and understood the reasons behind the change. We have found Chris to be professional and a delight to deal with and he will always be a friend of Workington speedway. I hope you will join us in wishing Chris well for the future and he is welcome back at Derwent Park any time.

The statement added that an announcement on Chris' replacement would be made in the next couple of days.

On Saturday, Mills posted the following message on his Twitter account: Gutted!! But I will be where I want to be again. No hard feelings thanks to everyone who has supported me. Best of luck to the Comets.

The 31-year-old Essex-based rider had endured a difficult start to the season, with mechanical problems hampering his form on the track.

Mills final appearance for Comets saw him pick up zero points from three rides, as Workington lost 41-49 at home to Berwick on Friday.

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Workington Comets axe reserve Mills