It was an extra special delivery for a former postman who handed over thousands of pounds to good causes for a 40th year running.

Whistling postie Dale Howting, who collects spare change at his bike stand in Sittingbourne High Street and outside Bunnings at weekends, dished out 32 cheques to charities on Thursday, December 14, totalling £7,529.

Now aged 83, his fundraising started in March 1977 and his staggering grand total over four decades tops £275,000. And Dale says he has no intention of stopping.

"I hope to continue collecting with the generous support from our community for as long as possible," he said.

"I would like to thank Bunnings, for its continued support, along with Swale council and Hacker Young, for maintaining the necessary licences and accounts.

"Additionally, a big thank you to all local businesses and everyone involved in supporting me throughout the years."

Dale started collecting change after former postmaster Ken Marsh set about raising funds for a new float for Sittingbourne’s carnival court after a crash.

Having achieved their first target, they continued fundraising – and Dale has never stopped.

Speaking about his milestone, he said the success was thanks to the people who make donations throughout the year.

"It is the local people that have given their generosity and made all my charitable distribution possible and I thank them very much."

"I am so pleased to be able to reflect that generosity," he added.

This year, donations of £100 were made to Age UK in Sittingbourne, Sittingbourne Blind Fellowship and the 55 Fellowship, Sheerness Community Church, Faversham Lights Association, Sittingbourne and Sheppey Fibromyalgia Support Group, the Freedom Centre in Sheerness (two donations), Sittingbourne’s Holy Trinity Church, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Kent Association for the Disabled, Macmillan nurses, Sittingbourne’s Methodist Church, COGS in Swale, an organisation supporting people with memory problems run by Joan Tumber, MS Society Sittingbourne, Parkinson’s UK, the Royal Society of St George (two donations), St Michael’s Church in Sittingbourne, the Royal British Legion (129), Sittingbourne’s Salvation Army, St Bartholomew’s Church in Bobbing, Sittingbourne Autistic Trust, St Mary’s Church in Teynham, Sittingbourne Carnival Association, Strode Church in Sittingbourne, Tunstall Church, Sittingbourne Football Club, Sittingbourne Lights Association, and the 2017 Poppy Appeal.

Demelza Hospice Care for Children in Bobbing and Kent Air Ambulance each received £2,250.