A delivery driver who was sacked after a thief stole his van and parcels during his shift has been given his job back.

The DPD courier for Goudhurst, Sergey, was delivering items in time for Christmas in Blue Coat Lane last week when his van was pinched.

Sergey was initially sacked by DPD but overwhelming support from the public helped see him return to his role following an investigation.

People living in the area wrote to DPD's UK chief executive Dwain McDonald to express how sad they were to see the delivery driver go.

He returned to carry out his rounds two days after the incident.

A spokesman for DPD said: “A DPD van was stolen in the Goudhurst area last week. While some parcels were removed, ultimately the vehicle and all the parcels were recovered.

"We carried out a full review of the incident and, as a result, the driver was reinstated on Thursday, and is back delivering on his normal round.”

Police have also launched an investigation into the theft.

A spokesman said: "Kent Police was called at 12.20pm on Tuesday, November 27, to reports a delivery van had been stolen from outside an address in Blue Coat Lane, Goudhurst.

"Police attended and a search was carried out for the vehicle. It was recovered at around 3.40pm in Lovers Lane and returned to its rightful owner.

"Inquiries are ongoing into the theft."