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Charles Pratt had a 42-year career in the Post Office, starting as a telegram boy in Littlehampton and ending as head postmaster in Worthing.

In retirement, he became a key member of the Lime Tree Surgery Patient Participation Group in Findon Valley, helping to raise thousands of pounds to fund equipment for the surgery.

Daughter Sue Wood said: “He will be remembered by many local people who met him during his career in the Post Office.

Charles Pratt in his Post Office van in 1957

“Charlie, as he was known at work, left school aged 15 in 1948, with no formal qualifications. He started off cycling out from Littlehampton Post Office, delivering the telegrams that were so widely used at the time.

“On his promotion to postman, he was sent on a week’s course, where he learned to drive a post van.”

Mr Pratt wed Juliet in 1956 and they were married for 64 years, having two children, Sue and Wendy, and four grandchildren Rachel, Jessie, Sarah and Charlotte.

After his marriage, Mr Pratt passed an exam to become a counter clerk and went on to gain a series of promotions.

Charles Pratt had a 42-year career in the Post Office and in retirement, worked tirelessly for the Lime Tree Surgery Patient Participation Group in Findon Valley

When the original Churchill Square opened in 1969, he worked in the GPO regional headquarters, which was located above the shopping centre.

He then returned to Littlehampton as postmaster, before taking up a job in Margate in 1978.

When the post of head postmaster job at Worthing became vacant in 1985, it was time for a return to Sussex and the family moved to a house in Findon Valley, where Mr and Mrs Pratt gained great pleasure in creating a beautiful garden.

Sue said: “Dad’s first-hand knowledge of every aspect of postal work made him a sympathetic and popular boss, and even after his retirement in 1991, he continued to enjoy socialising at the sports and social club in Union Place.

Charles Pratt in 1957, in his postman's uniform

“He told me how, only a few weeks ago, he was really touched to be greeted in the street by a postman who remembered him.”

The funeral service will be held at Worthing Crematorium in the Kingswood Chapel on Friday, March 20, at 3pm. Donations can be made to Sussex Wildlife Trust.

Former Worthing head postmaster dies aged 86