He was the cream of the crop as far as his customers were concerned - and they certainly proved it.

On February 27, 1993, the people of Winchester turned out in force to say goodbye to retiring milkman John Woolf - in spite of a biting wind and the odd snow shower.

John the Milk - or simply Jim as he was known for years - had delivered around 11 million bottles of milk over his 40 year career, with the final 24 years worth going to the people around the Canon Street area of old Winchester.

In a fond farewell to their favourite milkman, they held a street party in his honour, and they pulled out all the stops.

Canon Street was adorned with bunting and streamers and there was a procession headed by the Romsey Old Cadets marching band in costume. There was also a barbecue and the Wykeham Arms were selling mulled wine to help warm the hundreds of happy party goers.

John was taken to to his farewell party by a traditional horse-drawn milk float and toured his patch before joining his friends at the barbecue. The surprise that greeted him when he turned into Cannon Street was all too obvious - he was stunned.

“I just don’t know. I can’t believe it,” was all he could say.