SAVE our Brian – that’s the cry from villagers in Rotherwick who are concerned their long-standing postman will be moved to another patch.

For the best part of 29 years, Brian Porter has delivered mail to villagers in Rotherwick and Newnham Green.

But villagers say he might be moved to Mattingley in the new year as part of a Royal Mail reshuffle at the Hook delivery office.

They claim that the reassignment of rounds, which has not happened for the past nine years, would see him moved on and replaced by a more experienced colleague under Royal Mail rules.

Kent and Carol Robinson, of Wedman’s Lane, started a petition after hearing of the proposal and already have 300 signatures.

Mrs Robinson, 70, told The Gazette: “We feel very strongly about it.

“It’s a village community and he’s part of village life. He knows everybody and a lot of elderly people rely on him to keep an eye on them.

“He never makes mistakes and what we really like is that he drives very carefully around the village – he does not put his foot down.”

Valerie Antoine, a Royal Mail spokeswoman, said: “It is always gratifying when our customers recognise the hard work of their postman or woman. As part of the changes, we are making to Royal Mail services in the Hook area, some customers may notice that a different postman or woman will deliver their mail.

“However, we can assure customers that all our staff are trained to the same high standards and quality of service will be maintained.

“The operational changes we are making are based on a national agreement between Royal Mail and our union and were endorsed by postmen and women through a national ballot.”