A POPULAR postman on the Bere Peninsula retired last week after 25 years of service.

Keith Whitting has always delivered mail in either Bere Alston or Bere Ferrers and used to alternate between the two, but in recent years has mostly been the postman for the village of Bere Ferrers, while still delivering large parcels in his van in Bere Alston.

Staff at Bere Alston Post Office said he would be sorely missed by them, the staff at the sorting office and residents.

They said he was one of the postmen with a really good knowledge of the area, delivering a first class service for the last 25 years.

Postmistress Annabelle Case said lots of his customers had been asking for weeks when his last day was as they did not want to miss him and wished to give him cards and presents. 

There was a presentation at Tavistock Post Office, where Keith has started work each day at 6am, sorting letters before commencing his delivery round.

A small celebration also took place at Bere Alston Post Office, with balloons and a special cake baked by Yvonne and Mel Hicks.

Villagers in Bere Ferrers were also planning something special to say farewell to the much-loved postman, whom even the dogs like!

Keith intends to play a lot of bowls and pursue his hobby of photography. He has also taken on an allotment to keep himself busy.