The cream of the Co-op's milkmen is Tom Smith from Witham.
Customers on his round near Witham town centre were so impressed by their delivery man they nominated him for a top award.
And now he has won through to become the dairy's national finalist in the hunt for the milkman of the year.
The awards are organised by the Dairy Industry Association and are designed to acknowledge outstanding service and community spirit.
Mr Smith, 57, has worked for Colchester and East Essex Co-op's dairy division for 22 years and said he was overwhelmed to find out that he had been nominated.
His special day will be on June 17, when Mr Smith will be whisked off to Blackpool to face five other finalists at the Dairy Industry Show.
He said: "I was totally stunned and shocked when I was told I'd made it through to the final. I just want to thank all my customers for nominating me after all if it wasn't for them I wouldn't have got this far. I am really looking forward to the final."
The overall winner on the night will receive a prize of £1,000.
Published Friday, June 6, 2003
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