BILL Reynolds has always had a lotta bottle - millions in fact.

He recently retired after 50 years in the dairy trade, much of it spent doing daily doorstep deliveries.

"It's not been a good paid job," said the 66-year-old.

"When I first started, my pay packet was five pounds 17 and six for seven days work. But it did get better over the years."

Bill started out delivering milk from Express Dairies' Chester depot on a horse and cart.

Over the years he swapped the cart for a float and the rounds for a management job.

But he soon gave it up.

"I couldn't do with being locked away," he said.

Not even the early mornings could dampen his enthusiasm.

"I'd get up at 1.30am or 1.45am, be out the house by 2am or 2.15am and be on the rounds by 3am.

And how was getting up?

"No problem. Your body clock gets used to it."

Unfortunately years of getting up in the extremely early hours has had a lasting effect.

Bill, of Nicholas Road in Weaverham, still wakes up at the same time - not long after going to bed.

"I only need two or three hours sleep a night," he said. "I just lie there or end up watching sport on TV."

Bill was based at Northwich for the last three decades of a 50 year career broken only by a stint in the army.

And he'd still be one of the town's earliest risers but for a painful knee condition.

"If it hadn't been for that, I would never have retired," he said.

Now Bill is turning his attention from delivering to family life. He and wife Margaret have four sons, 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren to spend time with.

He's involved with the Royal British Legion and enjoys watching cricket and football, especially the youth sides who play on Weaverham's Lakehouse Field.

But one thing he definitely won't be doing is buying milk from shops. And he's convinced that like him, the Great British public will realise the value of the humble milkman - eventually.

"I wouldn't have it any other way. There's always that time when you're ill and you can't get out," he said.

"It'll come back. It might not be while I'm alive but it'll come back. The dairies know what they're doing."

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