Villagers stamped up £300 to give their retiring long-serving postman a good send off.

Brian Haywood retired last Saturday after 30 years on the job delivering mail to the village of Carlton.

Residents rallied round to hold a surprise party for the 65-year-old from Rawdon and a collection raised £300 which they used to buy him a television and video and some spending money for his holiday to Seville.

It was the end of an era for Mr Haywood whose father had also served the village of Carlton as a postman. Mr Haywood was well regarded in the village where he helped elderly residents with chores.

Resident Patsy Hollings said: "His party at Carlton Hall Farm last Thursday was really lovely, about 30 people attended. He had absolutely no idea what we were planning.

"One of my neighbours invited him for a late Christmas drink, when she brought him here he was totally amazed.

"He gave a short speech thanking us all. I thinking he was really touched that people thought so much of him.

"Mr Haywood was a great postman, always cheerful, always on time and he always had a cheerie word for you.

"He is just a nice genuine man. He would help the elderly residents by posting their mail. He always had a smile and we took him into our hearts."