AN Evesham man whose haul of tobacco was seized by customs officials has welcomed the end of the war on "booze cruisers."

Paul Nevin, aged 40, won a landmark legal battle against Customs earlier this year, which was partly responsible for the Government's U-turn yesterday.

Travellers can now bring 3,200 cigarettes back to Britain - four times the previous number permitted.

Mr Nevin, who used to smoke 80 roll-ups a day, was stopped by customs officials at Dover and found to be carrying 3,400 cigarettes and 30 kilos of rolling tobacco.

However, a tribunal in Birmingham decided Mr Nevin's claims were reasonable and accepted the tobacco was for personal use.

Mr Nevin said he hoped the Government would now see sense and lower duty rates.