BORN-AGAIN biker Peter Ruddick is back on two wheels thanks to his successful battle to give up smoking.

Mr Ruddick, 44, from Consett, vowed he would buy himself his first motorbike for many years if he could beat his nicotine habit.

That was in January 2002 and, more than three years on, Mr Ruddick is feeling fit, healthy and enjoying the freedom of the roads on his new Kawasaki 600cc motorbike.

Mr Ruddick, a father of four was one of ten former smokers honoured by the Smoke Free Derwentside campaign group.

In what was believed to be the first awards ceremony of its kind in the North-East, smokers who had managed to give up for a substantial period of time were presented with Personal Achievement Awards.

Mr Ruddick confesses he had an ulterior motive when he told his wife, Angela, he was quitting more than three years ago.

He said: "I told myself that if I could stay off cigarettes for 18 months I would get myself another bike. I love motorbikes and haven't had one for years."

"I suppose I must have saved thousands since quitting, because I was a 20-a-day man.

"I have tried and failed to pack in smoking many times before. I have tried patches, gum, you name it, it didn't work."

Mr Ruddick believes he would not have been able to stay off tobacco without the support of an NHS smoking cessation group.

"I had been smoking for 30 years. I now feel brilliant. I will never go back," he added.

Businesses that have gone smoke-free also received certificates at the awards ceremony at Consett Civic Centre.

Any businesses or public places that are interested in working towards a National Clean Air Award are asked to contact Mark den Hollander, telephone (0191) 374 4109.