Residents in Baldrine threw a party to say farewell to their popular postie who is retiring after 16 and a half years on their rural round.

Phil Cain clocked up more than 40 years’ service with the island’s Post Office, making him the longest-serving postie based in Douglas.

He says his retirement has been hastened by the current industrial dispute.

On Saturday, some 30 neighbours on Clay Head Road gathered at the home of Linda Carter to say goodbye to their postie.

Phil was joined by his wife Ann at the party where they were presented with £450 that was raised for him in a collection.

The Baldrine round, duty number 51, involves 337 ’calls’ - addresses - with deliveries to each averaging four to five times a week.

It begins at the King Edward Bay apartments and then follows a route along Groudle Road, Baldrine Park, Clay Head Road, Main Road as far as Beach Road, Garwick and then ending on Highfield Drive and Baldrine Road - a total distance of 32.3 miles.

With Phil’s retirement, there will be a ’re-pick’ of the round and it will be offered to other posties in order of seniority.