SCHINDLER'S LIST star Liam Neeson has picked up a habit which he insists helps him concentrate and relax - chewing toothpicks.

The actor admits that since he gave up smoking, crunching on tea tree oil-flavoured toothpicks has become his one major vice and he thoroughly enjoys it.

He says, "When I used to smoke I chewed these as well and I was like, 'Okay, what's gonna go? The cigarettes or the toothpicks?' And I thought, 'Sorry, cigarettes!'

"I chew them and I suck them and then I get rid of them. I don't swallow them.

"I guess it's kinda quite rude, but I've been doing it for years. It helps me think and it helps me relax."

07/12/2004 21:12