MORE than 2,000 posties are queuing up to deliver the Daily Echo Good Neighbour Campaign.

As they carry out their daily rounds they have pledged to keep an eye on the elderly and vulnerable on their route.

Paul Farthing, manager of the Eastleigh post depot said: “For some older people we might be the only person they speak to that day and I think most of the postmen love having a chat with them and a bit of banter – for many that is the best part of the job.

“I have known some who have got to the door to find an elderly resident waiting with a light bulb that needs changing or a jar of pickle that needs opening.

“Postmen are an integral part of the community and keeping an eye out for the elderly and infirm comes with that.

“Hampshire would be a much better place if more people got behind the Daily Echo campaign and we are pleased to back it.”

The importance the postman plays in the community was highlighted when one found an elderly women who had fallen over in her garden and wrapped a coat round her and held her hand until the ambulance arrived.

On another occasion a postman noticed an unattended home had been broken into and called the police.

Mr Farthing went on to say that at Christmas the postmen had a meeting and all decided to make a concerted effort to look out for the vulnerable people in society after being contacted by age care charities.

He added: “We all wanted to do what we could to help so promised we watch for post piling up.

“Also, if we knew somebody was always about at a certain time of day but we hadn’t seen them in a while we would knock on their door.”

Royal Mail is not the only organisation to throw support behind the campaign and Dairy Crest milkmen, Southampton City Council neighbourhood wardens and the county’s age care charities are already on board.

The need for good neighbours has never been more apparent than in the tragic case of 81-year-old Irene Vyse who died after spending eight days in the bath after a fall.

She was eventually rescued by police but died the next day of multiple organ failure, hypothermia and decomposition of both legs.

The Daily Echo campaign which urges people to look after and support the vulnerable and promotes community spirit started as Siberian winds whipped the county and temperatures plummeted to below zero.