KEEN cyclist Allan Ramsay is back on the winning trail -- 13 years after an accident left him with a fractured skull.

Mr Ramsay has worked hard to regain his fitness over the years and managed to beat 50 other veteran riders to take the gold medal in a 60-mile bike race.

But in 1991 his life changed dramatically when, after competing in a road race in Oldham, he was hit on the back of the head by a metal pole protruding from a lorry carry livestock, as it passed.

The blow fractured Mr Ramsay's skull and damaged a bone in his neck, which left him unable to ride for a number of years.

This is the first race he has won since the accident.

Mr Ramsay (56), of Ashcombe Drive, Radcliffe, took part in the League of Veteran Racing Cyclists competition last month with more than 50 cyclists over the age of 40

The race followed a five-circuit route through the village of Worleston between Middlewich and Nantwich, in Cheshire.

And while riding at around 23 miles per hour, Mr Ramsay managed to cross the finishing line first, and received a championship jersey and medal to commemorate his achievement. About his recovery after the accident, Mr Ramsay said: "I keep pushing it to get fitter and fitter. Recovery after riding has always been a big problem and it has been a long, slow process to get back to the level of fitness I had 13 years ago.

"I will never be as fit as I was but doctors told me after the accident that I would not have survived if I had not been so fit at the time." Mr Ramsay took part in his first race when he was 18 and has ridden a bike all his life.

Since his accident Mr Ramsay has campaigned for the charity group Roadpeace, which works to reduce road casualties.

And while he is training on local roads he wears a home-made Roadpeace vest. He is now hoping to get a company to make official RoadPeace vests for other cyclists.

Mr Ramsay still advises people, especially youngsters, to take care if they have to cycle on the road.

He said : "I would not advise anyone to get on a bike now. It's too dangerous. Even the most proficient cyclist is taking risks. It would be an ideal world when cyclists, motorists and pedestrians can live together."