THE 'last post' has sounded for three long-serving staff at Bury's Royal Mail delivery office whose combined service totalled 101 years.

Posties Barry Edge and Mark Sullivan, together with Kenny Buckle who worked in the office, have all taken voluntary redundancy.

All three had originally worked at the old Crompton Street base in Bury before the Royal Mail opened its £1.25 million sorting office in Wellington Street in 1990.

Barry had latterly delivered post to homes in the Manchester Old Road and Bolton Road areas while Mark served the Ramsbottom area.

Kenny used to be a postman but had worked in the delivery office for the past few years.

All three received Royal Mail gift vouchers on their last day.

Barry said: "I'd served a total of 35 years with the Royal Mail while Mark and Kenny each had 33 years of service. Things have changed quite a lot since we started. It was a bit emotional to go after all these years — but at least I won't get wet through again."

Barry and Kenny live in the Bury area while Mark resides in Bolton.