AFTER nearly 50 years of service a postman has been sacked while waiting for an operation on an injury he suffered at work.

John Jenkins, aged 62, of Langland Avenue, Malvern, has worked for Royal Mail in Worcester for 47 years and was devastated to discover he was being sacked on grounds of ill health.

He has been unable to work since he fell awkwardly when a jack collapsed as he changed a tyre on a Royal Mail van last July.

Although he is due to have a hip operation on March 29 and a doctor's report states he will be able to return to work after surgery, Royal Mail disagree.

Mr Jenkins was informed he was "unlikely to resume work within a timescale which is acceptable to Royal Mail" and dismissed with three months pay, a decision which he is appealing.

"After 47 years, I think I've been badly treated. They want to shed jobs and I think they see my case as an easy option," he said.

"I love my job and I've got many financial commitments. I've geared my life up to retirement aged 65."

A Royal Mail spokesman confirmed the dismissal, stating: "The decision was made after taking expert medical advice."

Mr Jenkins has delivered to Wichen-ford for the last 17 years and is highly regarded in the village.

George Webb, of Rosses Lane, has known him since he started his round.

"I was sorry to hear about John, he was a fantastic postman and very well liked in the area," he said.

Isabel Fields, of Willow Lane, said Mr Jenkins went out of his way to help the village's elderly residents.

"He's a lovely man and he would always offer to do things for people," she said. "I'm really sorry to hear about this, he's been coming here for years and I've always looked upon him as a friend."

Mr Jenkins tried to return to work for two weeks in October before being signed off sick again.

Although he was supposed to be on light duties, Mr Jenkins says he was used for anything that needed doing and little effort was made to accommodate his condition.

He wants the chance to return to work after his operation.

"I would be so proud to finish at the Post Office with 50 years' service," he said.