Copeland MP Trudy Harrison walked 'in the shoes' of a postman to get an insight into their life.

Mrs Harrison was shown around Millom Delivery Office on Lapstone Road and introduced to the staff, before seeing the final stages of the sorting process and helping with deliveries.

The MP was invited to ‘Walk in Your Postie’s Shoes’ in order to gain a unique insight into delivering mail to over 41,000 residential addresses and business in the Copeland constituency - whatever the weather, six days a week.

Trudy said: “It was both an interesting insight and a bit of a workout carrying bags for Mike Carr during a morning shift on the Millom round.

"Starting with an explanation of the sorting office process and recent downturn due to Amazon no longer using the Royal Mail service, and the downsides of the job - low postboxes and snappy dogs being the main issues.

"As an MP the risk of dog bites whilst campaigning is an occupational hazard, but it really is a terrifying thought to have to face big dogs and small ones on a daily basis.

“And more than a delivery service, I learned that the friendly and familiar faces of Royal Mail could be the only interaction someone housebound might see for days or weeks.

“It was certainly clear that Mike was much more than a postie to the good folks of Millom, known by many by first name, his beaming smile was reciprocated throughout the shift. Delivering smiles seemed to be the order of the day!”

Steve Simpson, Royal Mail’s Millom delivery office manager, said: “Our postmen and women work extremely hard to deliver parcels, cards and letters to people in Copeland.

"We are grateful that Trudy Harrison MP visited the office to see our operation and to support the team.”