A milkman has proved he has got a lotta bottle by becoming a finalist for the title of Milkman of the Year.

Mike Walford, 49, of The Avenue, Great Clacton, is the cream of the crop and if he rises to the top in the final he will receive a new Volvo S40 worth £15,000.

Working for Colchester Co-op Dairies at its Clacton depot, Mr Walford was nominated by his customers on his round in Great Holland and Kirby.

John Bennett, 78, of Sycamore Way, Kirby Cross, didn't hesitate when he saw the advert to nominate a milkman of the year.

He said: "All milkmen have got awkward jobs. They come out in all weathers."

With a smile and a joke, Mr Walford was singled out for the nomination by Mr Bennett and his wife Lilian.

Mr Bennett said: "I have never seen him unhappy.

"My wife and I thought he was very helpful and obliging, especially round Christmas time."

Competition has been stiff with 17,000 customers nominating the top milkmen in the country.

Mr Walford has a dairy date with destiny on Thursday when television personality Alice Beer will present the award to the overall winner of the nationwide contest.

He will be travelling up to London with his wife Kathy for the finals and will also be taking part in a milk float procession as part of the occasion.

Mr Walford 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."

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