A DEDICATED milkman can now have a lie-in after getting up at dawn for 16 years.

Eddie Battison has retired from Sheldon’s Dairy in Knutsford after serving the public with devotion.

Owner Chris Sheldon said: “Eddie did a round in Lymm since 2008.

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“He started at 2.30am every day for 28 days and then had seven days off.

“He has been loyal and never had a day off sick.

“He was always willing to help out.”

Knutsford Guardian: A retirement cake was baked specially, featuring his much loved fishing hobbyA retirement cake was baked specially, featuring his much loved fishing hobby (Image: Sheldons Dairy)

Colleagues shared a specially baked cake to bid him farewell.

Chris added: “We made a bit of a fuss of him.

“He enjoys fishing and gardening and grows his own veg.”

Family owned Sheldons has been delivering milk in glass bottles since 1965 and now has a full fleet of electric vehicles, powered by solar panels on the roof.

The business started with one round and now has 18, delivering to more than 6,000 customers.