A POPULAR Dudley milkman is to permanently park up his milk float after decades of doorstep deliveries.

David Taylor turns 60 at the end of the month and will deliver his final pinta on Saturday after 45 years of serving the town.

He was just 15 when he started delivering bread, before taking over the milk round and after four decades of early mornings has decided to hang up his crates for the final time.

David, who lives on Russells Hall estate, said: “I’m nearly 60 and I’m starting to feel the early mornings now.

“I have to get up at 1am every morning and then I get home at dinner time and go to bed for a few hours before I’m up again for tea.

“On Thursday and Friday afternoons, I’m back out again collecting bottles. But I have really enjoyed it over the years.”

The milkman has been a familiar face to many residents across the area as he started off his rounds covering the Springfield estate in Rowley Regis before delivering to homes and businesses in Dudley town centre.

David now covers more than 500 homes in Dudley and Russells Hall estate every day and said his customers have made it all worthwhile.

He said: “I’ve seen lots of changes over the years, everything has now gone computerised but I want to thank all my customers for their loyalty and friendship over the years. I’ve made a lot of friends and I’m really going to miss it.”

David, who is married and has two daughters and one grandchild, is planning on spending his retirement in his garden, as well as spending more time with this family.

He has also signed up to take a computer course as he is set to get a laptop for his forthcoming birthday.

But despite his retirement, David has vowed to keep any saucy secrets of a milkman's round he may have to himself.

He said: “I have seen a few things in my time but I had better not say.”