A BRADFORD drugs recovery worker has seen his own inspirational story recognised with a nomination for a national award.

Tony Gibson, 43, has been shortlisted in the inspiration category at this year's Redemption and Justice Awards, which take place in London on October 1.

He runs the Vault Recovery Cafe, based in the Unity Recovery Centre in Manningham Lane.

This forms part of the Bridge Project, a drug treatment service in Bradford, and he has also worked with the group for the last three years as a recovery activity co-ordinator.

His role involves co-ordinating the busy recovery cafe and a wide programme of group work, therapeutic and social activities for people recovering from substance misuse problems.

He has first-hand experience of drug addiction. He took his first drugs when he was only eight, taking cannabis, solvents abuse at first .

Mr Gibson then became addicted to heroin for 23 years and crack cocaine for 17 years and has been in recovery since 2009.

The father-of-three was nominated for the award by Melva Burton, the Bridge Project's chair of trustees. He was shortlisted for his work with people in recovery for substance misuse.

The awards ceremony recognises the achievements of people who change themselves and support others to alter and others who help to make change possible.

Mr Gibson, who lives in Barnsley and is originally from Liverpool, said he feels "humbled" by his nomination and said it recognises everyone who has helped him on his own road to recovery.

He said: "It's lovely to be nominated.

"It's for everybody else who has helped me on my journey, it's not just for me.

"I did not know anything about it until I got to the last ten.

"I will be clean for six years in April next year.

"I come over to Bradford every day. I just volunteered at first. I did not want a job. It was just about giving back. As the cafe progressed, I got a job out of it."

Jon Royle, Bridge Project chief executive, paid tribute to Mr Gibson, saying he deserves the recognition from the nomination.

He said: "He is a humble guy.

"When we heard about these awards the description fitted Tony.

"We are incredibly proud of him. He wanted to do something positive. He hasn't looked back since he came to work with us in Bradford.

"He has inspired hundreds and hundreds of people.

"Tony deserves to win the award as he is the last person who would expect to win it.

"His unique experience makes him a wonderful role model. He gives a lot of hope for people suffering from addiction."