Villagers backing sacked postwoman
10:00am Thursday 20th March 2008
A POSTWOMAN has been given the sack after her van was stolen while she delivered mail in Herefordshire.
Sara Ayliffe believes she was unfairly dismissed following the theft in Llangrove and has the backing of angry villagers who have written to Royal Mail to support their favourite postie.
But Royal Mail has defended its decision and says employees are regularly briefed on security issues and reminded of their duty to safeguard mail at all times.
Ms Ayliffe was delivering mail to rural homes near Ross-on-Wye when the van was taken. A passer-by helped her track down the vehicle but mail was missing when they found it.
The 40-year-old said she was suspended at first before a letter was sent to her Ross home earlier this month ending her 19 years' service with Royal Mail.
*For full story see today's Hereford Times.