Postie in van heroics gets back to her job

The postwoman who was suspended by Royal Mail after a thief tried to steal her van will keep her job – not as a delivery driver, but in a sorting office role instead.

Julie Roberts clung to the bonnet of her work van for nearly a mile as it was driven off by an opportunist thief in Trysull in South Staffordshire, only to be suspended for leaving her keys in the ignition.

Royal Mail has decided to keep 51-year-old Miss Roberts on but has told her she will be relocated to a sorting office in Wolverhampton.

She is appealing against that decision.

Miss Roberts' friend, Phillipa Day, who lives with her on Bull Lane, in Wombourne, said today: "Ultimately, Julie wants to be back on her regular round.

"That would be the ideal scenario. It is good that she has kept her employment but she doesn't want to be stuck in a sorting office."

Royal Mail spokesman Richard Hall said he could not comment on individual cases. Staffordshire Police have arrested and bailed a man from Dudley on suspicion of aggravated vehicle taking and theft.