HE HAS delivered more than ten million pints of milk during his working life - but this Saturday John Hackling goes on the road for the last time.

For 53 years, Mr Hackling (pictured with his wife, Verlie) has got up at 3am to bring the residents of the Bassaleg area their morning pintas.

Things have changed a lot since he and his father used a horse and cart to collect churns from local farms before ladling out the milk to customers.

Mr Hackling, 64, said: "It was my father's round before me and I first started in 1950 when I was 12. I took over the business when he retired and have been doing it ever since. "It will be a sad day on Saturday. I've spent my whole working life doing the job and it will be emotional stopping.

"It has been a good, steady source of income and I will miss the chat with the customers. "I love to have a natter with everyone and you always know what's happening."

One thing Mr Hackling will not miss is the getting up before dawn on cold winter mornings.

"Next winter when it's hailing and dark I'll get a cup of tea and go back to bed and think 'I don't have to get out there'," he said.

"The winters were always the hardest but I think they have got a lot milder in recent years. "I remember one year the weather was so bad people had to come and get the milk from our house."

Mr Hackling intends to spend his retirement helping at the Congregational Chapel in Rhiwderin where he is a deacon and watching Rogerstone cricket team.

He also intends to spend more time with his wife Verlie, 62, and their three grown-up children.

One of Mr Hackling's customers of nearly 40 years is retired teacher Richard Jones of Rhiwderin.

Mr Jones said: "On his day off on Sunday he spends his time driving the elderly and others to church, he's a really decent man.

"We will miss him coming round but will carry on getting our milk delivered, it's part of being in this community."

Mr Hackling's round will be continued by Unigate Dairies.