A dedicated milkman delivered his last pint this morning after more than 38 years of early starts.

Dave Mercer, 69, from Epsom Downs, is retiring after waking up at 12.30am six days a week and delivering milk to 500 homes in Leatherhead and Cobham.

Mr Mercer said: "At the moment I don’t get to spend much time with my wife. We will be able to do more things, I’ll be able to see my children more frequently and I can put my feet up.

Your Local Guardian:

"I love fishing and over past years I’ve only been able to fish on Sundays, I will now be able to go fishing any day of the week.

"I have enjoyed delivering to and serving the local community but the time is right for me to retire."

Trevor Sayer, Dairy Crest milk&more depot manager at Wimbledon, said: "Dave has been a great example of what good looks like in regards to being a milkman.

"He sets the standard for those joining us starting their careers as a franchisee milkman."