FORMER Swindon Robins rider Lee Richardson has died while racing in Poland.

The 33-year-old suffered a leg injury after a crash while riding for Rzeszow at Wroclaw before encountering breathing and internal bleeding difficulties.

Richardson rode for the Robins between 2005-2007 and was dubbed by many as 'the next Leigh Adams'.

He rode for Eastbourne in 2008 before Swindon loaned him out to Lakeside Hammers in 2009, who signed him permanently in 2010.

A statement on the Lakeside Hammers' website confirmed his death on Sunday night, saying: "The Lakeside Hammers captain died today in Poland as a result of injuries sustained in a racing accident.

"All at the club are devastated at the loss of a great captain, man and more than anything else a wonderful father and husband.

"Our thoughts are with his family at this most sad of times and we know that all Hammers fans will share our total devastation at this tragic news. RIP Lee."