But now the much-loved milkman is looking forward to a few lie ins after retiring from his round.

Over the years Keith has served hundreds of homes and businesses across Poulton and Staining, getting up at 2am six days a week throughout his unbelievable streak.

But despite his tiring early morning schedule, he says he would not have swapped his life with that of a nine to five office worker, as he got home before breakfast, allowing him to see his two children off to school and watch them grow up.

"With me being a one-man band I couldn't take any holidays," said Keith, 65, of Taywood Close, Poulton.

"I used to make sure that the children were always first in the queue for holidays with school so at least they got to go away.

"We did have a caravan in Windermere in the Lake District though and I used to go up there for waterskiing at weekends until they banned it. That was my little mini-break."

Keith, who was supported by wife Linda throughout his career, had worked as a service engineer when one day he finished work late, in heavy snow in Birmingham and worried that he wasn't seeing enough of his family .

So he bought the round in 1974 and never looked back, despite getting into the odd scrape.

"I've been attacked by dogs and chased people who were breaking into houses," he said.

"There have been people running around naked, flashing at speed cameras and couples caught in the act.

"In fact, there's been a lot of weird situations but the most memorable one was when I was on my rounds and saw an old lady standing at the door.

"She said her sister had fallen out of bed and I was more than happy to try and help get her back in.

"What I didn't realise was she was a rather large lady.

"She was in her nightie and I ended up having to wedge her back on to the bed with her bottom on my shoulder!"

Ever determined to serve his customers, Keith even managed to get milk to the doors during a huge snow storm in the 1980s, getting a round of applause from his friends at the dairy.

After such a long time in the job, Keith says he now feels a little lost as to what to do with himself.

But a keen sportsman, who enjoys golf and bowls, he says he is now looking forward to a lie in and enjoying a lazier life and spending time with his grandchildren, Brittany-Jade, Tilly and Jacob and his children Steven and Kim.

He added: "I've got to thank my wife for putting up with me and all my customers for all their kind words, cards and bottles."