A PROUD postman from Redditch is set to retire after 45 years of serving the community.
Senior postie Pete Read, aged 65, has been delivering mail in and around Redditch since 1976 and in that time has made many friends on his rounds.
Grateful residents of Carpenters Hill in Beoley presented postman Pete with a signed plaque, with a special Royal Mail decanter and glasses on Friday (March 19) to thank him for his hard work over the years.
Mr Read said: "It was a real surprise. It made me feel humble. At the moment I'm the longest-serving postman in Redditch.
"It's been very enjoyable. We get to know people and it's quite nice. We regard people as friends rather than customers."
Previously, Mr Read was able to speak about his career to pupils at Beoley First School, and even appeared as a 'Brummie postman' in a local film called Father's Daze.
Mr Read's final shift as a postman will be on April 9 and he says he expects to be emotional on the day.
"Now is the right time to retire, but it will be sad. I'm proud of the fact I work for Royal Mail", he said.
"I have made some very good friends. I've been really happy and I'm going to miss everybody.
"I must admit the post office has changed in my time as it started as a service and now is really more of a business.
"We used to travel around in Morris Minor 1000 vans and even the old Minivans which I must admit for me, with a height of 6ft 2", was a bit cramped".
Beoley resident Sheridan Meaking presented Mr Read with the Royal Mail decanter on behalf of residents. Farmer and DJ Rob Richardson said: "Why have Postman Pat when you can have Postman Pete."