POSTMAN Harry Critchley's first-class service earned him a stamp of approval from hundreds of satisfied customers.

Harry got the shock of his life on Saturday as he delivered his last letter to Lynn Birmingham's Lowton home and stepped into a surprise retirement party with himself centre stage.

When he arrived at Lynn's door he was persuaded to nip inside for a drink and was shocked to see family and friends and lots of grateful customers gathered to give him what proved to be an emotional and well deserved send-off.

Neighbours on his post round had been planning the surprise for weeks and a measure of ex-miner Harry's popularity can be judged by the £800 bonus they collected for him on his last day at work. Harry, who took on the Lowton round in 1989, toasted his last post with a celebratory glass of bubbly and a bagful of greetings cards and gifts.

Mrs Birmingham said: "It was a nice finish for a nice man. When we heard he was retiring we did a mailshot of our own around Harry's round and everyone thought it would be nice to give him a big thank you.

"He was more than just a postman, he was also our friend. He is a very nice person and always had time for children and knew every dog on his round. We'll miss him."

The ex-Parkside Colliery pitman and BICC cables factory employee was overwhelmed by their generosity and after relating a few of the funnier incidents that have happened during his years as a postman Harry left Lowton to enjoy his retirement. His appreciative bosses brought in a substitute postman to finish the rest of his round.