Postman Paul Page has handed his postbag on to son Chris after more than 30 years pounding the same rural round.

As Paul, 65, enjoys his first lie-in in three decades, Chris, 40, is continuing to rise at 3.50am to pound his father's route.

Since 1972, Paul has forged great friendships with his customers along the 35-mile round in Springham, Hailsham.

During his time, he has been told of the births and deaths of many people he has delivered letters to.

He has had his share of run-ins with dogs. One collie almost flattened him when it ran to the door he was delivering to.

Now grandfather-of-four Paul, of Herstmonceux, near Hailsham, is giving it all up and handing the round to Chris.

Paul said: "It's nice to know someone will look after the round for me because the people there are marvellous.

"They have become real friends and, I've got to admit, on the final day there were a few tears welling in my eyes.

"It took me an extra two hours to finish the round on that last day because people were inviting me in and giving me gifts. I just couldn't get away.

"Some of them had a whip-round while others gave me presents such as a garden seat with an inscribed plaque.

"I'll miss the people but not the early rises. It took me ten years to get used to getting up at 3.50am.

"After that it became a way of life but it's nice now to wake up and be able to fall back to sleep again without worrying about work."

A lie-in is a luxury Chris can only dream of. He managed to take over the round based on his 17-year seniority working for Royal Mail.

Father and son spent three days working together as Paul made him aware of hazards such as unruly dogs and letterboxes.

Former military policeman Paul took over the round after resigning from electricity company Seeboard aged 34 in 1972. Now father-of-two Chris, of Observatory View, Hailsham, is on his own - and enjoying it.

He said: "Apart from the early hours, it's a great job and it's nice to carry on from my dad.

"I remember him as a postman when I was aged ten. We used to have a laugh at his expense for falling asleep in the afternoons and now I'm doing the same all these years on."

A get-together to celebrate Paul's retirement is being held at Hailsham Delivery Office in North Street, Hailsham, on Wednesday.