OXFORDSHIRE'S Lawrence Clarke reached the Olympic 110m hurdles semi-finals today with a solid display.

But former world record holder and 2004 Olympic champion, China's Liu Xiang, and Clarke's training partner Andy Pozzi crashed out.

Clarke finished second in heat two, recording a time of 13.42secs.

The 22-year-old, from Christmas Common near Watlington, was delighted with a clean race and was only beaten by American world champion Jason Richardson, who clocked 13.33.

Clarke will now compete in tomorrow night's semis at 7.15pm.

Fellow Brit Andy Turner joined Clarke in the next round after winning heat seven in 13.42, but he then had to help a hobbling Xiang off the track.

Pozzi, who like Clarke is coached by Malcolm Arnold, appeared to injure himself as he came out of the blocks and could not negotiate the first hurdle.