BEWDLEY driver Geoff Orchard is enjoying a new lease of life testing his mettle in the Heart of England Rally Championships.

The 41-year-old decided to spend life at full throttle after overcoming bowel cancer three years ago.

He is aided by father Dave Orchard, 71, who came out of rallying retirement after a 30-year break to act as his son's navigator.

"Rallying is the most exciting thing I have ever done," said Orchard.

"My battle with cancer changed my attitude to life, it's about grabbing every chance you get and not waiting for a rainy day.

"My dad is the only person I trust and that's very important between a navigator and a driver."

In the first round at Staffordshire's Weston Park the duo finished in 54th place in class A and will be aiming to improve in round two on Saturday, April 12, at the MIRA testing ground near Nuneaton.

The duo race in a 1400 Vauxhall Nova which has been modified for rallying with the help of Kidderminster's West Midlands Motorsport Garage.