RESIDENTS are demanding their postman back after he was axed from his round after 10 years.

Postman Dave has received a wave of support after being taken off the round.

Residents of Coombe Green, near Malvern, say he has become an integral part of their lives.

Royal Mail said the Pendock round was given to the postman's senior colleague after a re-allocation process.

Joanna Symonds, of Coombe Green, said: "Dave's round consists of delivery to a community that thrives on the human element of their daily visit by a friendly face.

"He has had his round for 10 years, and has just lost it due to a remarkably odd shake up at the Great Malvern sorting office in Worcestershire.

"He has integrated himself into our lives and has become a hugely valuable asset, a confident, reliable, courteous, humorous and wholly efficient postman."

Ms Symonds, aged 50, said the postman was taken off the round on Saturday, April 22.

"He came to visit us out-of-hours the day before to tell us it was his last day. He was really upset," she said.

"He has served us all these years and this doesn't feel right. Someone has to fight his corner, he matters to us."

Tom Wells, county councillor for the area, said: "The service to Coombe Green is something that's become part of the social fabric of the community.

"I have spoken to residents and they are devastated.

"The relationship villagers have with their postman is important because it's based on trust and detailed local knowledge that a postman achieves over years of service.

"A new postman will struggle to provide the same service. I want to see Royal Mail review the situation."

Sally Hopkins, a Royal Mail spokesman, said: "We need to continually review our operations in the light of falling mail volumes and a change in the mail we deliver.

"Routes came up for reallocation due to internal changes. We re-allocate routes based on seniority, amongst other factors."

The spokesman added that they recognised the importance of long-serving postmen and women.

She added that the changes were designed to ensure customers receive a high quality service.

If you are also upset about your postman being reassigned please email md@malverngazette.co.uk