"BUREAUCRACY gone mad" is the verdict from villagers in The Sands, protesting against the treatment of their recently retired postman, Mick Yuil.

Campaigners Larry Signy and Jeannie Archer claim that Mr Yuil has been denied the post office's top accolade for 50 years' service because bosses discovered he had actuallyworked 49 years and ten months after they gave him the wrong dates.

Although he received a retirement package, he will not be awarded a 50 years' service certificate, a decision Mr Yuil has described as "petty and disgusting."

Residents have decided to protest to Post Office bosses asking for "sense and fair play" and have added their names to a petition along with almost 200 of his former 'customers'

Mrs Archer said: "We all feel it is bureaucracy gone mad and that something had to be done because the situation is unacceptable."

The move spells a disappointing end to Mr Yuil's long and fulfilling career which began in 1951, when he was just 15.

In the many years he has delivered the post around The Sands, he has got to know the residents so well he described them as a "second family'".

He often went beyond the call of duty, keeping an eye on people's houses when they were away and becoming invaluable to elderly and ailing residents.

Mr Yuil is particulary saddened by the decision because he would have been the first postman in Farnham to receive the award.

He feels that in this day and age it is almost unheard of for anyone to be in the same job for 50 years and his commitment should have been formally recognised.

Spokesperson for the Royal Mail has refuted claims that post office bosses miscalculated the amount of time he has worked there:

"Bosses did not make an error, it was Mr Yuil who was mistaken, their only error was to initially offer him retirement gifts he was not entitled to."

In response to accusations that the post office have been churlish, she added,

" Mr Yuil was given the opportunity to work the extra two months, which he declined and therefore he has not completed 50 years service. We have to deal with thousands of staff and many achievements which are recognised and rewarded all the time. If we made an exception for one we would have to do it for every employee."