Biking businessman Matthew LeFevre is launching Oxford's first door-to-door cycle messenger service.

The marketing and advertising executive reckons bicycles will outpace the Royal Mail and traditional couriers around the city.

To your door: Matthew LeFevre, right, briefs delivery rider Wes DouglasMr LeFevre, 43, of Collins Street, said: "I am increasingly frustrated at postal delays and high courier costs.

"I am a keen cyclist and I know I can get anywhere in Oxford quickly. Sixty-One Messengers will meet customer needs, no matter how demanding, and aim safely to deliver packages by cycle anywhere within the ring road within an hour even faster if they can." Mr LeFevre has lined up six messengers and will take to the road himself if the service takes off.

He said: "We will charge a market rate for the job, but we will ensure that a document will arrive when the customer wants it to.

"We won't compromise safety and we will always ride responsibly. And it is a greener and more sustainable way of getting round town.

"Anything that beats present delivery problems and gives customers a proper service can only be good news."

* Sixty-One Messengers can be contacted on 01865 251666.