ONCE a ubiquitous part of country life, the village roadman would pass on his bike, spade on his back, repairing the roads and acting as the burgh's jack of all trades.

Every isolated rural community and glen had its own, but only three now remain - in Fettercairn in Aberdeenshire, Shetland and on the Inverness to Drumnadrochit road.

But a report commissioned by Angus Council has recommended the return of the roadman following a long campaign by the 110-strong Highland community of Glenesk.

The council employee was a one-man neighbourhood watch who performed a social role in addition to maintaining roads and verges, Mr Jim Caithness, 81, a roadman in Glenesk from 1946-52, said yesterday: ''I had a stretch of about six miles to cover. I had to prevent anything getting on to the road that could cause an accident.''

Inveresk community councillor Douglas Murray believes their return could be a catalyst for regeneration in the glens, and said: ''If the roadman was someone who was living in the glen he would stay in one of the houses, his family would attend the local school and he would make use of the only shop in the area. All this could help to reduce the trend of ageing populations.''

The report, partly funded by the Cairngorm Partnership, notes that ''over the last few years there has been a massive reduction in the local provision of public sector services'' in an effort to cut costs, and recommends the council backs a two-year pilot scheme.