A PLYMOUTH man has set up in competition with Royal Mail after becoming the first cycle courier in the country to receive a Postal Licence.

Ken Holder, of City Cycle Couriers, was issued a Postal Licence on March 11, giving the company the legal right to deliver post not only across Plymouth, but also across the whole of the UK.

He said: "We are the first cycle courier in the country to be granted such a licence and are one of only 25 companies in the UK to have it."

Mr Holder set up the business last September, initially intending to work just as a courier.

"I wanted to give local companies an alternative to using big smoky vans or taxis," he said. "I knew I could be cheaper because my overheads were a lot less." Business was slow to start with, but then Mr Holder spoke to city solicitors Foot Anstey who wanted him to deliver their mail. In order to do that, Mr Holder had to obtain a licence as a postal operator. He has now taken on his first employee on a part time basis.

Mr Holder says he delivers mail for 32 pence an item, guaranteeing next day delivery.

He said: "My business aim now is to try and increase the number of customers and the quantity of mail that I deliver on a daily basis."

More details about the mail service can be found on the www.citycyclecouriers- plymouth.com website, or by calling 07875 760254.