A CYCLING fanatic has turned his passion for bikes into a business plan after being made redundant as a result of the credit crunch.

In 1981, the then employment secretary Norman Tebbitt famously suggested that unemployed people should get on their bikes and look for work.

Today, with unemployment on the rise again, that is exactly what Alex Wells has decided to do.

At the start of October, architectural technician Alex was made redundant from his job at a practice in Nottingham, due to the downturn in the construction industry.

He has now decided to turn his cycling hobby into a business by setting up a bicycle-powered courier company called City Cycle Couriers Derby.

Alex, from Riddings, will use his bike to deliver everything from letters to legal documents across the city centre and the suburbs.

He said: "When I was told I was being made redundant, I was naturally very disappointed.

"I had to start thinking about what else I could do. When I worked at the architects practice, we would send important documents by courier – and we would get continually frustrated by the fact that they would arrive late because the courier had got stuck in traffic.

"I'm a very keen cyclist and am always going around places like the Peak District in my leisure time.

"With the new business, I can use my hobby to make a living."

According to Alex, his firm will be the first cycle courier business in Derby.

He said: "The only one I know about is Pedal Express in Nottingham.

"Their literature says that they are the only cycle courier business in the East Midlands so I reckon they will have to change that when I start work in Derby!"

Alex is aiming to launch the business on Monday, December 8.

He will initially run his one-man operation from a friend's premises in Friar Gate but, if it is successful, he hopes to expand.

He said: "My ambition is to recruit several riders. I certainly feel there is a market for this.

"Traffic congestion is an issue and this is certainly an environmentally-friendly way of getting important packages delivered on time."

Businesses based on pedal power are not unknown in Derby.

Sound Bites, in the Morledge, delivers fresh fruit and vegetables to more than 500 customers a week by bicycle.

As part of his courier service, Alex has guaranteed to make his deliveries within 60 minutes, depending on weather conditions.

He said: "I'm really looking forward to starting the business.

"It will also be a good way to stay fit and will certainly beat sitting behind a desk."

To find out more about the business call 07852 414919.