FROM championing Colchester in Parliament to becoming the town’s High Steward, Sir Bob Russell has ticked nearly every box in Colchester bingo.

But is he now the borough’s oldest paper boy?

Armed with a bag full of Gazettes, Sir Bob, 75, rises at 6.30am on his mission to post papers through letterboxes.

Sir Bob, who served as MP from 1997 to 2015, is a relief paperboy, stepping in when the regular incumbent is off.

He has been helping out for three years now.

Gazette: Signed, sealed, delivered - Sir Bob Russell claims he could be Britain’s oldest paper boySigned, sealed, delivered - Sir Bob Russell claims he could be Britain’s oldest paper boy

“My first week coincided with heavy rain, hail and snow,” said Sir Bob.

“This time of year it is a bit of a laugh to get up at the crack of dawn, in lovely spring weather, and deliver about 50 Gazettes which I split into rounds either side of breakfast.

“I enjoy it, there are far more challenging conditions I could be doing it in, especially now it’s hot.”

Sir Bob started his career in journalism as a junior reporter with Essex County Newspapers back in September 1963, aged 17.

In 1966, he was appointed news editor of the Braintree and Witham Times, and in 1968, aged 21, he became the country’s youngest newspaper editor when he took over the Maldon and Burnham Standard before heading for Fleet Street.

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Sir Bob would become the man in the headlines when he became a councillor in 1971, serving until 2002, including as Colchester mayor in 1986-7.

And when he’s out and about in streets of Colchester in the morning, it’s a far cry from his former seat in the House of Commons.

He said: “There’s absolutely no comparison to the two jobs, besides getting up early in the morning, but that’s not a problem, I’m used to it - although perhaps not so much these days.

“I used to work long hours, but now it’s quite a joy, I’m in my neighbourhood and it’s all local and fun.”

Powered by his healthy breakfast of cereal with fruit and a cup of tea, Sir Bob’s efforts are all part of a bid to fund a statue of prolific children’s nursery rhymes authors and sisters, Jane and Ann Taylor.

Most famously, Jane penned Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star in Colchester more than 200 years ago in 1806.

Sir Bob is donating his pay from the paper round to help fund his cause.

You can donate via gofund.me/c1bfae10.