A MILITARY "postie" from Radcliffe is training hard to send out record numbers of the "blueys" that technology will never replace.

Even the invention of electronic mail has failed to halt the British soldier's love affair with the army's free international mail service.

Every year Territorial Rob Swinburn (37) does his bit to help make sure millions of the blue lightweight letters reach friends and loved ones abroad.

And this summer he and his part-time postal and courier regiment will be working harder than ever to make sure the mail gets through.

Sgt Swinburn said: "E-mail might be instantaneous but it can never replace the bluey. British commanders fighting wars overseas have seen their armies' morale rise and fall with the weight of letters from home.

"There is nothing on earth so personal or comforting as a letter from a loved one that you can read and read again."

His 170-strong regiment is one of the Specialist Units of the Royal Logistic Corps Territorial Army.

As well as letters, the Territorial postmen carry the orders that enable British forces to operate in the field. Dispatch riders are still the safest and most secure system for delivering vital messages.