As he works, I make a joke about dogs which is met with a steely stare from those around me.

"They are actually a big problem," I’m told. "I have to carry biscuits for them in my pockets," Terry says. By 10am it’s time to hit the streets.

Terry has 360 calls to make to farms and villages in the area, including Preston-on-Stour.

He’s been driving this particular route for 8 years and told me: "I can deliver most of the letters by names rather than number, I’ve been doing it so long.

"I do get invited to harvest festivals and country fayres, it’s nice really."

Shirley Newton is one of the residents in Preston, and Terry’s biggest fan.

"He is absolutely fantastic, we get on very well. On top of my letters, he always picks me up a paper from the shop."

Although it is sunny, the December chill has set in so Terry is wearing trousers, odd for a postman.

He says: "Some of them will wear shorts all the time, I think it’s a macho thing. We used to have a bet who would be the last one to put trousers on."

When we start talking seriously about last year’s problems Terry has nothing but praise for new delivery office manager, Matt Morley.

"It is great to go in to work at the moment. Matt used to go out and do what we do. Last year, those in charge had all come straight from college, they didn’t know what it was like. I respect Matt because he used to do it too."

Terry finishes his round just after 2pm, a little later than usual, maybe because there are more packets, but probably because the Herald has been slowing him down. He drives the van back to the office, and prepares for the next day.