A MAN who walked and cycled a remote 19-mile postal round and went on to win fame for his poetry, has died suddenly, aged 75.

Ronnie Robson, born in Kirkby Malzeard, near Ripon, where he lived all his life, served the far-flung community of Dallowgill, famous for its grouse-shooting moors and natural beauty.

To many farming families around the area, he became a friend, delivering their letters with a stamp of reliability and a joke to go with them.

After years of doing the round on foot and bike, Mr Robson was later provided with a Land Rover when two of rounds were merged.

After retiring from the Post Office, he again worked closely with the farming community as a pest control officer with Harrogate Borough Council.

Mr Robson had a lifelong connection with Kirkby's Ebenezer Methodist Church and developed a gift for writing poetry. He also wrote articles for regional newspapers about his life and times in the countryside.

The Reverend Stuart Ellis, Methodist minister for Kirkby, who conducted Mr Robson's funeral service, said when he arrived in the community he could not understand some of Mr Robson's poems because they were written in true dialect with broad Yorkshire humour.

"I came to understand them and enjoy them, like many other people. They were not only enjoyed locally, but went around the world," said Mr Ellis.

Two of Mr Robson's poems were read at his funeral.

Mr Robson, who died at home, leaves a widow, Lily, and three sons, David, Peter and Paul. A fourth son, Stephen, died before him.