IPSWICH: A cancer-surviving Ipswich Witches fan is on cloud nine today after kicking his smoking habit.

IPSWICH: A cancer-surviving Ipswich Witches fan is on cloud nine today after kicking his smoking habit.

David Brundle-Curtis, who stopped smoking a month ago after overcoming the disease, was rewarded with a meeting with his Speedway hero, Chris Louis, the former British Speedway champion who now manages the Witches.

The 67-year-old capped a special day with a tour of Foxhall Stadium before enjoying a race in the best seats in the house.

Thanks to a new partnership between NHS Suffolk Stop Smoking Service and Ipswich Witches speedway team, any fans that give up their smoking habit will be rewarded.

Mr Brundle-Curtis has been attending sessions run by the Suffolk Stop Smoking Service and managed to quit for four weeks.

He said: “I used to smoke four or five cigars a day but when I got the all clear from the cancer I felt guilty for carrying on smoking.

“I finally managed to quit four weeks ago and feel so much better.

“I was actually going to the stop smoking sessions at Portman Road but happened to mention that Speedway was my real passion. “My adviser got in touch with the Witches and they organised the event for the day before my birthday.

“It was the best birthday treat ever.”

Mr Louis said: “Speedway fans are no different from anyone else who wants to stop smoking.

“It's their choice to smoke but it's also their choice to give up and we know that with a bit of help and support smokers are up to four times more likely to be successful.”

Speedway fans can phone 0800 085 6037, quoting 'Speedway', and will be booked on to one of the service's stop smoking sessions.

Have you beat your smoking habit? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk