A HARLEY-Davidson riding grandmother is the newest member of the management team at construction group MMP. Lesley Clode is every inch the experienced, professional head of human resources - until she hits the road to unwind.

The 52-year-old grandmother has yet to wow the 280 employees at MMP by arriving at the office on her 1240cc Harley Heritage Softail, but on fine evenings and weekends, the open road is the only place she wants to be.

"I've loved bikes since my father offered me the choice of a motor scooter and unlimited petrol or a bus pass when I started university," said Mrs Clode, who recently joined the MMP Group after three years as HR manager at SK Chilled Foods, Middlesbrough.

"It was no contest - a scooter and free petrol allowed me to go anywhere I wanted at any time and it won hands down."

Mrs Clode, who lives with husband Bryn near Guisborough, east Cleveland, gave up her "easy rider" lifestyle to build her career and family. But when her husband bought a motorbike five years ago, she decided she would not be left out.

"I took a course of refresher lessons and retook my driving test," she said.

"I looked at a lot of bikes, but decided on the Harley-Davidson because it is so comfortable and I feel very safe on it."

Shortly after getting married, Mrs Clode and her husband left England to live near Durban, South Africa, for ten years, returning home when her eldest son started senior school.

On returning home, she worked in the personnel departments of Rothmans and Caterpillar before joining SK Chilled Foods.

She brings a wealth of experience to her role with the MMP Group, which recently expanded into a 60,000sq ft factory in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.