A HULTON man is bidding to become an honorary Welshman - after a promise made to his father 50 years ago.

Paul Hughes jumps on his bike every Thursday afternoon to cycle to Warrington for Welsh lessons.

And after years of stalling, the 57-year-old decided to make the weekly 40-mile round trip to Cheshire after telling his Welsh dad in 1955 that he would learn the language.

Now 12 months into his studies, it seems his father Robert's influence has rubbed off on tutors at Warrington Collegiate Institute, who have awarded Paul this year's Individual Learner Award.

He said: "I feel Welsh inside. When I go to visit Wales, it is like I am going home.

"It is so satisfying to know that I have done this for my father. I know that he would be really pleased."

Paul was forced to pump the pedals to Warrington after scouring the region for Welsh classes.

As he suffers from narcolepsy - and could fall asleep behind the wheel at any time - he had no option but to jump on his bike.

And he is now trying to persuade his 53-year-old brother, Gareth, to take up the Welsh challenge.

He said: "Most of my family and friends think I am really weird. They cannot understand why anyone would want to learn Welsh."

Paul still travels to Wales and frequently visits relatives who live in Gwitherin.

"Welsh is a beautiful language with a musical, singing tone. I think it is more descriptive than English," he said.