After a 30-year career in local newspapers, Nigel finally saw the light and decided on a change of scene with a move to BBC Radio Bristol.

Although a long-time devotee of the airwaves (Uncle Mac, Pick of the Pops, the early days of Radio One-derful), he's just discovered the brilliant clarity of 21st Century broadcasting that comes with owning a digital radio.

Nigel has never moved far from his roots.

Born in Weston-super-Mare, he attended local schools before joining the weekly newspaper, the Weston Mercury.

'Golden Age'

From the Mercury he moved to the Bristol Evening Post where he spent 18 years working as a district reporter in Frome.

"It was a golden age in journalism," he wistfully recalls.

"It was amazing how many stories you could unearth by spending time in the local pubs."

He was finally rumbled and eventually had no choice but to work for a living as the paper's chief reporter in Bristol.

'Fry-up'

Nigel's been with Radio Bristol since the start of 2001, firstly working as a reporter but, now as a presenter on Morning West.

In his spare time, Nigel likes nothing more than to sample culinary delights from around the world.

Failing that, he's happy to settle for a 'magnificent seven' fry-up in the BBC Bristol canteen.

But doesn't that huge intake of calories threaten our man's svelte, slim-line appearance?

"Not at all," he says. "My dog, a giant Schnauzer, is always keen to take me for a walk. With a personal trainer like her to call upon, there's no risk of me turning to blubber."

You can hear Morning West every week day between 6.00am and 9.00am.