POOLE-based Royal Mail postman, Sheridan Bartlett, has revelled in the role of keeping the close-knit community on Brownsea Island connected with the mainland, as he is part of the long line of mail-bearing seafarers delivering to the island for over 100 years.

Brownsea Island, owned by the National Trust, is home to around a dozen houses and is located in the middle of picturesque Poole Harbour.

The Ferry sets off at 7.55am each morning and crosses the four-and-a-half-mile waterway. Once on the island, the route covers 12 delivery points, including the local National Trust property office and historic Brownsea Castle.

Sheridan said: “When the sea whips up it can get pretty rocky at this time of year. It can also be quite dark when you set off in the mornings. But it’s a fantastic, close-knit community on the island.

“I have got to know most of the residents there over the past few years, and they really appreciate the fact that Royal Mail delivers throughout the Christmas season. It’s great to see their faces light up when you arrive with a cherished delivery.”

Sheridan, who has worked for Royal Mail for 27 years, counts himself as one of the luckiest postmen in the country as he delivers mail amidst a backdrop of stunning scenery.

“One of the things that many postmen and women I speak to love most about their job is the chance to be outdoors," Sheridan continued.

"I’m particularly lucky with the rare combination of fresh sea air, amazing wildlife and beautiful countryside.”

This mix of woodland, grassland, heath, open freshwater, seashore, mudflat and lagoon incorporated within a small island, creates a diverse range of species rarely matched by places of a similar size. It is also home to red squirrels, largely because non-native grey squirrels have never been introduced to the island.

Matthew Goodwin, Royal Mail Westbourne Delivery Office Manager, said: “Brownsea Island is one of our most unusual and most scenic postal routes. We really value the opportunity of helping this close-knit community stay connected with friends and family during the festive season.”