A VALE of Evesham man's account of his victorious battle against Customs and Excise could now be the subject of a book.

Heavy smoker, Paul Nevin has forced Customs and Excise to back down over the seizure of cut-price tobacco he brought in from Europe about 18 months ago.

Customs officers have offered to replace the 3,400 cigarettes and 30 kilos of rolling tobacco they confiscated, and to compensate him for his car which was impounded and later sold.

They were forced into a U-turn after an appeals tribunal accepted that the tobacco was for personal use to feed Paul's 80-a-day habit and the cigarettes were for his wife Karen.

The 40-year-old father of three was stopped as he returned from a solo one-day ferry trip to Belgium in May 2001.

He spent £1,650 on 3,400 Benson and Hedges for his wife and 600 50-gram packs of tobacco, which at £2.04 per pack is less than a quarter of the UK price.

When Customs pulled him over at Dover he openly admitted what was in his boot.

Mr Nevin said: "I told them it was for my personal use but they flatly refused to believe me.

"They accused me of trying to smuggle it into the country to sell on. The whole episode has been a nightmare."

Now Customs and Excise has accepted the appeals tribunal findings Mr Nevin is in negotiation over compensation.

He said: "I am claiming back the full price of my car which I can prove cost me £1,750 five days before I went to Belgium. I am also claiming back the £3,500 duty I have had to pay on tobacco to replace the seized goods - I don't see why I should lose out.

"Customs and Excise has disregarded both English and European law.

"First there was an absence of proof which is an essential part of English law, and secondly according to European law you can bring into the country as much tobacco as you like for personal use."

Customs and Excise press officer Claire Morgan said: "Although I am not sure how much money Mr Nevin will receive, he will be compensated for the loss of goods."

Mr Nevin said that since his lone fight against Customs officials attracted national publicity, publishers have expressed an interest in his story.

He said: "I might write a book on my experiences because so many people all over the country have said they have been treated like criminals in the same way as I have."