ESSEX should lose the 2012 Olympic mountain biking event because the county lacks mountains, an MP has claimed this afternoon.

ESSEX should lose the 2012 Olympic mountain biking event because the county lacks mountains, an MP has claimed this afternoon.

Adam Price, sport spokesman for Plaid Cymru, called for the event to be moved from the county to “excellent” facilities at Margam, near Port Talbot rather than spend public money on creating a new course in Essex.

His comments come as after an earlier proposed mountain bike course at Weald Country Park in Essex was criticised by the International Cycling Union, who said it was not challenging enough.

Olympic organisers are now looking at other venues in Essex to host the event.