POSTMAN Pete Hollingsworth is more than your average postie. Not only will he deliver your mail, but he will also remember your name, give your pet a treat and drop off your prescription. And after waking up at 4am each workday for the past 10 years, the

POSTMAN Pete Hollingsworth is more than your average postie. Not only will he deliver your mail, but he will also remember your name, give your pet a treat and drop off your prescription.

And after waking up at 4am each workday for the past 10 years, the 51-year-old who delivers the mail to Upwood, is now in the running for a national award.

Pete, who delivers to about 380 addresses from the Ramsey sorting office, said: "I was very flattered when I heard I had been nominated for an award. I wasn't expecting it at all.

"I just get my head down and do my job."

The postman, who was born in Ramsey St Mary's, said he has been made to feel a part of Upwood.

"I know every name on the round and the name of every pet too," he said. "I'm lucky that I haven't got a nasty dog on the round. In fact they all follow me because they know I've got treats."

Pete, who has missed only a handful of days of work in 10 years, added: "It is a dying thing for someone to take the time to speak to people, to look out for them.

"Some of the elderly folk on my round might not see another soul from day to day so I make sure I have time for a natter.

"Sometimes I'll even drop off or pick up prescriptions for them because there isn't a village shop in Upwood."

Deana Hudson, who has lived in Upwood High Street for 11 years, told The Hunts Post she had no hesitation in nominating Pete for the award.

"He is one of the great characters of the village. We have a lot of older people living here and he looks out for them.

"All the dogs and all the cats know him because he brings them treats. He wraps up Bonios at Christmas and drops them through the letterboxes.

"He comes along to the village pantomimes and pub quizzes, and, even though he doesn't live in Upwood, he is truly a part of the village and thoroughly deserves to be recognised."

Pete has been selected as one of 10 outstanding posties from the East of England in the Royal Mail's 1st Class People awards. Regional judging takes place at the end of the month, before a national final in London in March.