A postman stole more than £1,000 in cash and gift vouchers from Royal Mail postbags.

Mark Slater admitted seven counts of theft while working as a postman in Worthing between January 1 and February 28 this year.

He had been in his job for more than ten years when he began helping himself to the post he was delivering.

He pleaded guilty to eight charges at Worthing Magistrates' Court yesterday.

The 40-year-old admitted stealing greetings card postal packets during the first two months of this year.

Between February 1 and February 28 he took £195 in cash belonging to the Royal Mail.

On February 20 he took 92 gift vouchers worth £807 and 33 gift cards.

On the same day he took a package containing three £10 John Lewis vouchers addressed to Heidi Turner.

In January and February he took £10 in cash from a parcel addressed to Chloe Tessier and packages containing £20 cash addressed to two boys.

Slater also pleaded guilty to intentionally delaying another package on February 28.

Denis Bradley, prosecuting for the Royal Mail, said: "In the space of about eight weeks on eight occasions, the defendant, who had been employed as a postman for ten years and eight months, helped himself to items of post which he was asked to deliver. The total amount comes to something over £1,000."

Mr Bradley said Slater was interviewed when staff became suspicious. He admitted the thefts when questioned.

Matthew Baines, defending, said: "This is a man of previously good character.

He has no previous convictions for dishonesty. We are dealing with only a short period of time." He said Slater had made a "full and frank admission" of his guilt.

Magistrate Sarah Hammett released Slater, from Southsea, Hampshire, on unconditional bail until a sentencing hearing at Worthing on July 2.