Postman Chris Gale hopes he will have the competition licked after being shortlisted for a Royal Mail 1st Class People award.

The collection driver put his passion for motorbikes to good use by raising £3,500 for a cancer charity during a sponsored ride to India last year.

The 53-year-old was inspired to back the Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign after seeing several of his close friends and family succumb to the disease.

Mr Gale, who lives in Whyteleafe, said: “It was an incredible experience, a bit scary at times and we had a few crashes, but nothing serious.

“I would love to do it again. My grandfather was in the Bengal police so it was interesting to visit the country where he once worked.”

The driver, who is based at the Croydon Mail Centre, has already bagged £100 for being shortlisted for the Royal Mail award, and could end up with another £1,500 and a glass trophy if he triumphs in the UK final on May 24.