Jim Pillman was too short to become a policeman when he left school at 15, so he became a postman instead.

Not long afterwards he reached his full height of almost 6ft, well above the 5ft 8in required of a bobby, but he was happy in his job and did not look back.

Forty-seven years later he has retired as one of Brighton's longest-serving postmen.

Jim, 62, of John Street, Brighton, started out as a telegraph boy when he joined the General Post Office in 1957.

He said: "They were good times. It was all lads together.

"We delivered wedding greetings and notices for deaths and births - good news and bad, we carried it all."

He remembers delivering telegrams to Fifties radio and television star Gilbert Harding, Brighton's Fatboy Slim of the day, who lived in Montpelier.

He said: "Each time we delivered a telegram his manservant would give us sixpence.

"Weddings were good too. If you were very lucky you might get a kiss from the bride.

"We were always out and about in the town so you got to see what was going on.

"I remember seeing Max Miller driving around in his Rolls."

Three years later, in 1960, Jim became a full postman.

He said: "Once I was on my round when I saw a front door open. I delivered the letters but the next day it was still open so I called the police.

"It turned out the people had gone away on holiday and forgotten to close the door.

"It's one of those things - it could happen to anyone. I'd like to think someone would do the same for me."

The grandfather, who was born in Brighton and married Ann in 1965, has fallen foul of the scourge of all postmen - dogs.

He said: "I've been bitten twice. The worst one was by an Alsatian. He was a lovely old thing and normally very friendly but one time he came running across the garden and bit me on the leg."

Jim has seen many changes in Brighton but thinks some things have stayed the same.

He said: "In some ways it's not that different. It's still a community. People are very friendly. I always think if you look after people, they will look after you. I've made many friends on my route."

Beauty therapist Carol Hocken, 49, has lived on Jim's route in Cleveland Road for ten years.

She said: "Jim was more than a postman - he became a friend to many of us. He didn't even live in the area but did so much for us. We'll all miss him."

While Jim may have given up delivering letters, his link to the Royal Mail continues through his son.

He said: "My son works nights, sorting and driving. He started working there when he was 16 in 1989. He has done 15 years already but there's still a way to go to beat me."