After setting his daily alarm for 11.15pm for the last 50 years veteran milkman John Carey could be forgiven for looking forward to his well-deserved retirement in two weeks time.

Mr Carey, 65, from Molesey Drive, North Cheam, started working in south-west London’s milk depots in 1961 before taking on a round full-time two years later when he was 17.

But after more than five decades of early mornings and long hours working in Wimbledon, Putney, Battersea, Chelsea and Fulham, he is parking up his float for the last time on July 23.

Mr Carey said: "I really enjoy doing it and being out there. You really get to know people and their families. Some of my customers I have had for 30 years.

"But when I finish I am just going to relax, unwind and make the most of my time but I am certainly going to enjoy not having to get up so early.

“I’m really looking forward to spending time with my theee children and five grandchildren.”

He currently works six-day weeks for Dairy Crest sometimes outting in daily shifts of more than 14 hours.

Aside from meeting lots of friends over the last 50 years, MrCarey has also delivered to his fair share of celebrities including Margaret Thatcher, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Roger Moore and Joan Collins.