After months of knock backs and disappointment, a determined job seeker has come up with an eye-catching way to find work.

Father-of-two Mark Richardson pedals up to 250 miles a week wearing a specially-printed shirt advertising his availability in the hope that an employer will get in touch.

The 50-year-old has applied for about 150 vacancies since he was made redundant from his retail job six months ago and has been invited to only three interviews since then.

But Mr Richardson, a former cross country skiing champion, rolled with the punches and soon dreamed up a new tactic in his search for work.

He has turned himself into a living advertisement, hitting the streets with 'Seeking employment. Intelligent, diligent, dynamic,' his phone number and email address printed across his back.

'It's sad, but in today's market I need a gimmick,' Mr Richardson said. 'I got the idea when I heard about a man who had walked around London wearing a sandwich board looking for work.

'I always tend to notice humorous T-shirts so I thought people would read it when I stopped at traffic lights or when cars passed me.

'I've not had any calls since I started wearing it, but a lot of people have chatted to me about it.'

Mr Richardson, an Explorer Scout leader, is qualified in applied biology and has worked in several laboratories during his varied career.

His interest in sports and the outdoors prompted him to take a job in Millets, but the King's Lynn store closed in March.

He began cycling seriously only this year and is a qualified climbing wall supervisor.

Next month, Mr Richardson will build on his cross country skiing success and earn his instructor certificate in Nordic walking.

'I have an eclectic skills set and I'm gifted with my hands,' he said.

'I do get down sometimes, you can't help it, but the thing is to keep active.'

Mr Richardson, who lives with his wife Taoh and their two daughters in Gaywood, appears in the 1989 Guinness World Records for roller skiing from Chamonix in France to Kent in 1987.

Call Mr Richardson on 01553 780226 or emailmarktaoh@hotmail.com.

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