A close knit Kingston community threw a lively breakfast street party to say farewell to their beloved postman last week.

Residents of Lower Kings Road, congregated in the street with bacon sandwiches and bucks fizz to give Dave the postie a send off to remember.

Dave Pullen, 64, of Oakcroft Road, Chessington, has been a postman for 38 years and was based at the Villiers Road depot.

He has been pounding Lower Kings Road for 25 years and celebrated his last day on August 6.

He said he was overwhelmed that a party had been organised in his honour.

“I’ll miss everyone. They are just part of the family to me,” he said. “I did take pride in my job because so many people aren’t bothered about customer service anymore.

“It has been nice to see a friendly face in the morning although most of these lot are usually still in their dressing gowns when I come!”

Organisers Jacqui and Jonathan Rollason described Mr Pullen as a “fantastic old fashioned postie” who “really cared about the community”.

Mrs Rollason said: “He’s the type of person that would try your neighbours first before taking a parcel back and look out for everyone.

“He knew everyone on the street and would always stop for a chat. He is a lovely man. We wanted to show him how much we have appreciated him and his enthusiasm.”

As Mr Pullen cycled into the street for the last time, he was greeted with a rousing chorus of For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow, and presented with a cheque for £265 which had been collected by residents as a retirement present.

Michael Strong, who was born in Lower Kings Road and has lived there all his life, said: “He is exceedingly friendly and if you’re ever away on holiday you can rely on him to keep an eye on the place.

“He always knows if anything is not quite right and he is the sort of postman you hope your elderly parents might have in their community. He will be sadly, sadly missed.”

Mr Pullen said he plans to spend his retirement relaxing and doing some decorating with wife Carol and looking after his two grandsons Bailey and Toby.