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A POSTMAN sacked after his van was stolen has been given his job back.
Brian Johnston's six-month nightmare began last July when he was making his rounds in the village of Crawshawbooth, Rossendale.
He parked outside a house and left the keys in the ignition while he posted a letter.
A man and a woman leapt into the van and drove off.
It was later found on its roof in a nearby field.
Mr Johnson was suspended and later sacked by Royal Mail .
Now he has finally been reinstated after an independent appeal tribunal
Mr Johnston, 32, of Crofters Bank, Loveclough, said: `It is an immense relief.
"It has been a really tough few months.
"I have been doing a little bit of work here and there, but not much and it has been very difficult."
Mr Johnston, who is married and has a one-year-old son, said: "I just want to put it behind me now and get on with my life.
"People really need to think about their actions. This nearly cost me my livelihood."
A Royal Mail spokesman said: `We do not discuss individual personnel issues.
"We have a robust disciplinary process, which is agreed with the union and which is subject to appeal."
Last September Christopher France, then 24, of Burnley Road, Crawshawbooth, admitted aggravated vehicle taking, driving while disqualified, drink-driving, driving without insurance and delaying postal services at Burnley magistrates court.
He was given a 12-month community order with supervision and a four-month curfew.
He was also banned from driving for three years and ordered to take the drink-impaired drivers' programme and to pay £65 costs.
Janine Brooks, of Hardman Avenue, Rawtenstall, admitted allowing herself to be carried in a vehicle taken without the owner's consent and with opening a postal package while in transit when she appeared before Rossendale magistrates last August.
Brooks , then 18, was given a one-month curfew order and ordered to pay £50 costs.
