POSTIE Will Beveridge has proved himself one of the fastest postmen in the west after succeeding in the high octane world of ice speedway.

In his daytime job Will delivers letters and parcels throughout south-west Durham.

But when he isn't carrying out a first class delivery the 27-year-old is one of the world's best ice speedway riders.

Will has just returned to his County Durham home after finishing third in the World Championships held in America.

The popular postie was granted three months unpaid leave from his job to pursue his dream and very nearly made it.

A collision with another rider during one of the finals ended with one of his arms badly injured.

Spikes on the back wheel caught his arm and dragged it round, ripping the muscles. He needed emergency plastic surgery after the accident.

He said: "I have been very lucky. Things were going well but this knocked me back two meetings and the last one was cancelled.

"I feel really good about coming third. It was better than last year but I know I could have done far better if it wasn't for the injury."

Despite that injury Will missed only one meeting and was back on his bike to notch up enough points to finish third.

Will, who lives with his wife Andrea, in Manor Road, St Helen Auckland, near Bishop Auckland, was awarded the Bob Hetrick Memorial Trophy for good sportsmanship because of his determination to keep going.

The excitement of the championships is a far cry from his daily job as a postman in St Helen Auckland.

But the job allows him to spend time with his beloved bikes and he is now spending all his free time preparing for the forthcoming speedway season.

He said: "My employers have been great. They are very supportive. When I came back after the accident they were really good about it. If it wasn't for them giving me the time off I would not be able to do this.

"I have also got some good sponsorship and without Keenpine.com, from West Auckland, and PMC Security, from Glasgow, I would not be able to take part at all because of the costs.''

Will's accident inspired a new safety design by putting a guard on the back wheel of the bikes to prevent similar accidents.

He vowed that he would not return to the championships, but relented and is hoping to give them another try.

He said: "Maybe it will be third time lucky. I just know I can do it and I need to give it one more go."