Shocked workers pay tribute to 'popular' Chester postman

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A CHESTER postman who was found dead after going missing on a night out has been described by his colleagues as a “popular lad, full of energy and enthusiasm and liked by all”.

James Bennion, 20, who was based at the Chester Mail Centre on Jupiter Drive, had worked alongside his father Paul at the Royal Mail site for the past 12 months, with his death coming as an “enormous shock” to the workforce.

“James was a popular lad in the mail centre. He was full of energy and enthusiasm.

His death comes as a huge shock to all of us in the office and we send our deepest sympathies to his family and friends at this time," said CWU area processing rep Dave Skingsley, who worked with James.

“James worked with his father, also a CWU member, at the mail centre so his loss resonates with all of us. He had been with us for about a year and he was a very well liked member of the team by all of the staff here.”

James, of Wavertree but formerly of Ellesmere Port, whose father and mother Julie come from Blacon, had been missing for five days after he had been on a night out with friends in Liverpool and was last seen in the early hours of Sunday, December 7.

Following the search, in which hunreds of James’ friends, family and volunteers combed the streets of Liverpool for information on his whereabouts, divers from Merseyside Police discovered his body in the Albert Dock last Thursday, formally identifying him on the Friday.

James work colleagues have now started a collection in his memory in a bid to help his family.

Mr Skingsley added: "The staff are doing a collection in James’ memory to help the family with funeral costs.

“At a CWU event I have been attending in London, we have also been doing a collection and have invited all CWU branches who would like to make a contribution to get in touch with us.”

A minutes silence was held for former Whitby High School pupil James, who leaves behind a younger sister, Aimee, at a weekend football match between Blacon Youth and Lache, with James having been a former Blacon player.

A Facebook site set up in his memory, James Bennion R.I.P XX, has attracted more than 14,000 likes since news of his death last week.

Funeral details are yet to be announced.