Anthony Holt successfully appealed against the decision made by Royal Mail in June
Anthony Holt was reportedly sacked from his job as a postman for locking his keys in his van
A postman who was sacked from Royal Mail for reportedly ‘locking his keys in the van’ has won an appeal to get his job back.
More than 3,500 people signed a petition to get Anthony Holt reinstated, and he will return to his round.
It is understood Anthony, 34, from Whitefield, was working in the town, when he accidentally locked his keys in his van. He then attempted to break into the van to retrieve them so he could finish his round.
He said he told bosses he would pay for the damage - but was sacked from his role.
Dad-of-two Anthony appealed against the decision, and now eight weeks after the incident, he has been given his job back.
He said: “I am really glad to be getting back to work. I love my job and love the social side of it. I like helping people if I can but am really overwhelmed at the response.
"I am really thankful for the support everyone gave me. It really means a lot to me.”
A spokesman for Royal Mail confirmed that Mr Holt would return to work on Friday.
At the time of his dismissal, many took to social media with more than 300 people joining a Facebook group in his name, to praise the hardworking postie.
Lee Burns, 37, from Stoneclough, started the petition and said: “Our local postman in Stoneclough based from the Radcliffe, Manchester, depot who is a very popular man who helped out local residents during the December 2015 floods on Riverside Drive and helped deliver giant metal poppies that were auctioned off for the Royal British Legion has lost his job due to locking his keys in his post van.
“This man goes out of his way to help people in our local community so now is our chance to show our appreciation for the above and beyond service he provides.”