Outrage as mailman is axed for talking to locals whose mail he delivered for 25 years — in favour of someone quicker

A POSTMAN axed for being too chatty has got his job back after locals protested.

Richard Kemp, 48, said his “heart had been ripped out” when he was told he was to be replaced on his round by someone quicker.

But a “Keep Richard” campaign was launched by residents whose mail he has delivered for the past 25 years.

Bosses then did a U-turn and informed Richard, who had been moved to another area.

A Royal Mail spokesman confirmed: “Mr Kemp is staying on his original round.”

Grateful Richard, married to Wendy, 48, said: “Thanks to each and every one of you that cared.

“I will always be in your debt that you think just as much of me as I do you.

“Love to you all.”

The postie, from Cullompton, Devon, has served nearby Kentisbeare for almost his entire 30-year career.

The campaign to reinstate him centred on the village’s only pub, the Wyndham Arms whose landlord Mike Perkins, 46, said: “We are all absolutely delighted.

“It has made our day.”

He added of Richard: “He knows everybody and can spot straightaway if something is wrong.

"He is a welcome sight and makes the time to chat to people.

“He always goes above and beyond.

"On top of that he is a brilliant postman and he’s not at all too slow.

“He knows the area so well and he is not prepared to race around the country lanes around here, risking a possible accident.”

Village postmaster Mike Wilkinson said: “Richard is a real old-fashioned postman.

"He is a marathon runner and he’s a quick walker too.

“Customers have told me that when he is off and there is a relief postman their letters get mixed up.”

Another resident, Tess Dominy, said he was a “wonderful” postman, adding: “He always wears shorts.

“He says, ‘Better wet legs than wet trousers all day’.”