Desperate residents of three Battersea streets are fighting to save their beloved postman, who is being forced onto a different round.

David Millward has diligently served Wynter Street, Petergate and Usk Road for three years but is now being given another route because of a “reorganisation” in the Battersea delivery office.

More than 100 signatures have been added to a petition to Royal Mail, singing the praises of Mr Millward’s “friendly, reliable and accurate” service and urging the company to reconsider.

Jane Eades, of Petergate, said: “Before David was given the round, post went missing, including cheques and credit cards, or was delivered to the wrong address and delivery was unreliable.

“Since we’ve had him, he has delivered post regularly, accurately and with a smile.

“If he doesn’t see someone for a couple of days he will know who to ask to check they are all right.

“I’ve done a few petitions over the years, and with this one, people have been grabbing it out of my hands to sign it.”

Ms Eades has tried to voice her concerns via the Royal Mail website and with phone calls but to no avail.

She is furious that, despite near unanimous support from her neighbours, the wishes of the residents themselves seem to carry no weight.

As a last resort, she has written to chief executive Adam Crozier, saying: “It seems clear from the website that Royal Mail is not at all interested in the private domestic service, only the more lucrative business market.

“As with so many aspects of life, ‘service’ seems to have become a dirty word.”

The residents’ outrage comes just months after Post Office Ltd, another subsidiary of the Royal Mail Group, announced its controversial plans to close a number of post office branches across the country, including eight in Wandsworth.

Postman Mr Millward, 45, lives in Battersea himself and knows the area well.

He said: “It’s really nice of my regulars to take out a petition. I’m touched. I’d love to stay on the round because I know all the residents now.”

A Royal Mail spokesman said: "There has been a reorganisation in the Battersea delivery office for operational reasons which has meant changes to delivery routes.

“We are delighted that this particular postman is held in such high regard by his customers and we can assure them that all our postmen and women provide the highest possible quality of service.

“The new postman has more than 20 years’ experience and is one of our most experienced trainers.

“We are confident they will find the service of their new postman just as good."