A CHAPTER in a community's history has come to an end with the retirement of a long-serving postman.

Hawson Simpson has delivered mail in the Kirkbymoorside area for 40 years, travelling to nearly 100 homes.

He said: "I never went delivering in winter without a shovel and a bag of grit."

Mr Simpson, who started his career cycling to make his deliveries, became a popular personality and friend to Farndale's residents.

"I've drunk hundreds and hundreds of cups of teas and coffee over the years," he said.

For 20 years he has been chairman of the parish council in his home village of Gillamoor, and is also chairman of Fadmoor village hall, and the playing field association at Gillamoor.

He is also a southern area parish representative on the North York Moors National Park Authority and on its services committee.

He is renowned as an auctioneer and has raised thousands of pounds for charitable events.

Mr Simpson was brought up on his family's Prospect Farm, Gillamoor, and later moved to Sycamore House, which became the local post office and was run by his wife, Ann, who was the submistress for several years.