COLLEAGUES of a postman who delivered mail in Barrow for 28 years have paid tribute to him following his sudden death.

The postal worker, who was in his 50s, is said to have died on his way home from work.

His death has prompted an outpouring of grief among Royal Mail colleagues in the town.

He delivered letters in Barrow for 28 years and a Royal Mail spokeswoman said: “Everyone at Barrow delivery office was deeply shocked and saddened by our colleague’s death.

“He was a much valued member of the team, who has provided service to the community in Barrow for 28 years and he will be sorely missed by all his colleagues and friends.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very sad time.”

Police confirmed they were notified of a sudden death in the town by just before 6pm on Wednesday, adding they are not treating the death as suspicious.

A spokeswoman for the force said: “Cumbria Police were made aware of the sudden death of a man in his 50s in Barrow.

“Police were contacted at 5.40pm.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious."

Lenny Crook, the chair of the Communications Workers Union branch in North Lancashire and Cumbria, which represents postal workers, said he had been in contact with the man’s family.

He said: “We don’t know the circumstances yet. Obviously we are very shocked and saddened.

“It’s a very close-knit community in the Communication Workers Union.We’ll be making sure the family have got advice and support.”

Although it is unknown whether the hot temperatures contributed to him collapsing, Mr Crook said the union had been advising its members on how to work during the high temperatures of the last few days.

He added: "Obviously there’s a lot of advice out there, especially about taking regular breaks.

"In times like this, when you’re walking for hours we do advise people to take extra care.”