With Derby Evening Telegraph delivery vans stuck in traffic jams, and a switchboard full of newsagents clamouring for copies of the newspaper, the transport team was under pressure to come up with a solution.

The answer was right under the nose of transport manager Steve Pegg - he knew a keen motorcyclist who knew the city like the back of his hand from his day job as a refuse collector with the city council.

Mick Edwards, pictured above with partner Hayley, was looking for a part-time post and while most people would baulk at having to be out in the rush-hour, the plan from Steve was a challenge he just could not refuse.

So for two hours each evening since April, Mick has donned his motorcycle leathers and weaved his way through the city traffic to bring newsagents and readers the extra newspapers they demand.

His Yamaha XJ 600N 600cc bike with specially-fitted panniers has proved ideal for the task. Painted up in Evening Telegraph livery and decked out with the newspaper's logos on the petrol tank it can carry up to 100 copies swiftly to any part of the city.

Steve said: "We've found that Mick can get to a shop in an average of seven minutes, whereas the same trip would have taken 20-25 minutes in a van."

Mick added: "Many of the shopkeepers have been astounded by how quickly we have been able to respond to their demands for extra newspapers.

"In the past, a newsagent might have thought at 6pm it wasn't worth asking for more newspapers but the speed I can get there now means it's worth them ringing, especially if it contains a big story from that area."

Since April, thousands of readers have benefited from Mick's speedy delivery, and do not have to worry about not being able to get hold of a copy of the Evening Telegraph at their local newsagents.

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