THE sudden death of a popular Worcester postman has brought the neighbourhood he served closer together, residents claim.

Brian Harvey, who had been delivering the mail in Warndon Villages for seven years, died suddenly over Christmas.

The Evening News reported on Monday that two of his customers, Sheila Kimberley and Jill Allen, from Wood Leason Avenue, were so saddened by the news they started up a neighbourhood collection for his wife.

Kind-hearted residents have so far donated nearly £500 - and the total is rising by the day.

"What's really come out of this is a new sense of community," Mrs Kimberley told the Evening News.

"It used to be that no one would speak to each other but people are now willing to spend the time of day with you."

Mrs Kimberley added that the donations were initially residents in the roads surrounding hers, but were now coming in from the other side of Great Oaty Gardens.

"It's hard to explain the depth of feeling," she said.

"Everyone is telling me what Brian did for them and how much they appreciated him.

"It seems people thought he was just doing them a favour - but he was doing the same for everyone."

Donations can be dropped in to 19 Wood Leason Drive, Warndon Villages, Worcester.

If you live in Warndon Villages and have some news you want to tell us about, contact Ian Wishart on 01905 742256 or email: iw@thisisworcester.co.uk