Postman in bid to beat retirement

Jim Wood turns 65 this January

An Oxfordshire postman has launched a campaign against Royal Mail's policy of compulsory retirement at 65.

Jim Wood, who has been a postman for eight years, said he wants to keep working in West Carterton after his 65th birthday on 16 January.

Mr Wood said his campaign had the support of Conservative leader David Cameron and a person from every home on his round has signed his petition.

"I'm very active and I'm not ready to sit down with nothing to do," he said.

Mr Wood has put in a formal request to Royal Mail to continue working past his 65th birthday, but it has been declined.

"I have still got plenty of energy left, so what is the point in retiring when you can still give the public a service?" he added.

In a statement, Royal Mail said it, like many other companies, has a retirement age of 65 for its staff.

"It is open to any of our people to request to continue working after the age of 65 and this is only granted if the role requires a specialist skill or the vacancy could not be filled in any other way.

"We would stress, in following our retirement policy, the final decision in this particular case is in no way a reflection on the individual's performance or ability to do the job and we wish him well."