Richard Kemp has served Kentisbeare, near Cullompton for around 25 years and is a welcome sight to many in the village.
Mid Devon villagers fight to save a popular postman - who had been dubbed “too slow” by Royal Mail bosses - has ended in victory.
Richard Kemp has served Kentisbeare, near Cullompton for around 25 years and is a welcome sight to many in the village.
But after all those years he faced being switched to another round because he was not thought to be doing the job fast enough.
As well as being a lifelong postman Mr Kemp is a leading light in the Tiverton Harriers, last month completing the rugged Bampton to Tiverton race in 55.05 minutes.
Residents of the village started up a Facebook petition that already has about 400 signatures - which is nearly half the population.
And, after the Echo told the Royal Mail of the upset a Royal Mail spokesman said: “ Mr. Kemp is staying on his original round in Kentisbeare.”
Much of the Keep Richard campaign had centred on the village’s only pub, the Wyndham Arms, named after the 17th lord of the manor, Sir John Wyndham, who owned the village.
Mike Perkins, the coaching inn’s landlord and a friend of Mr Kemp, said of the U-turn: “We are all absolutely delighted. Thank you so much for the news. It has made our day.”
Mr Perkinssaid Mr Kemp had been a postman for nearly 30 years and served Kentisbeare for about 25 of them.
“He knows everybody here and can spot straightaway if something is wrong. He is a welcome sight and makes the time to chat to people. he always goes above and beyond
“On top of that he is a brilliant postman and he’s not at all too slow.
“He had a independent assessment recently which said he was so good he should be claiming an extra hour and a half a day.
“He knows the area so well and he is not prepared to race around the country lanes around here, risking a possible accident.”
Across the village in the Post Office, Mike Wilkinson, the village postmaster, said: “Richard is what you might call a real old-fashioned postman. he knows everyone and he knows if something is wrong, perhaps the mail left uncollected on the doormat. He is an asset to the community.”
“I certainly do no think there is a problem about being too slow. He is a marathon runner and very fit. He’s a quick walker too.
“Customers here have told me that when he is off and there is a relief postman their letters get mixed up.”
“We started a petition to keep him in Kentisbeare and we have already had 50 signatures.”
Among those joining the campaign to is Tess Dominy who said: “Richard really is wonderful, everybody thinks so.
“If he had to go it would be a real loss and people are very supportive.
“I have lived here for nine years and I know he is very friendly, and will stop for a chat which people really like . He fits in so well - and he always wear shorts. He says better wet legs than wet trousers all day.”