South Wales' very own Father Christmas will make his final delivery on New Year's Eve, when he hangs up his postbag for the last time.

Gareth Christmas, 65, is retiring after 50 years service for the Royal Mail.

I think what amazes everyone is his enthusiasm for the job Rob Bevan, postal worker

The father-of-three has covered the patch between Ammanford and Pontarddulais for the last 30 years.

"I left school at Christmas and started work as a telegram boy in Pontarddulais on New Year's Day," he said.

"It's been a great job and I will really miss my customers and my colleagues at work.

"Especially at this time of year when I get a lot of leg-pulling about my name!"

Mr Christmas said the people he saw on his round were all "friendly".

"It is nice to have a chat in the morning," he said.

Mr Christmas has spoken to children about his job

"Maybe I have a cup of tea or a bit of breakfast on a cold morning - I will have to do that myself now."

He admitted that many things had changed since he started work.

"The farmers were men when I started and now their sons have taken over," he said.

School talks

Fellow postman Rob Bevan said Mr Christmas would be sorely missed.

"I think what amazes everyone is his enthusiasm for the job," he said.

Keri Morgan: He is a children's favourite

"When he started they were still delivering on Christmas Day - that's how long ago it was!"

The children from the area will also miss having their mail delivered by Mr Christmas.

"They shout at me all through the year - I have to wave every morning," said Mr Christmas.

On top of cheery morning greetings, Keri Morgan - headteacher at Ysgol Gynradd Llanedy - has also invited Mr Christmas to speak to the pupils over the years.

"He has spoken to children about the mail and how it is sorted and delivered," said Mr Morgan.

"The children love seeing him come along - he's quite a character and quite a favourite."

Mr Christmas will now be escaping the cold weather for a month with a holiday in Tenerife, but he still has a lot of babysitting to do.