The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in numerous members of the community being hailed as heroes - but postmen and women are among those that have gone under the radar.
They have continued to deliver our all-important letters in these unprecedented times and even been made to contend with a backlog of mail due to Covid-19.
Essex postal workers have been pounding our pavements for centuries.
It was even calculated, as far back as 1833, that Samuel Wyatt had walked more than 225,498 miles throughout his 23-year career.
Aged 54, he had walked 26 miles a day for a total of 8,673 days and was still going strong.
Here, we are delivering some eye-catching photos of our hardy posties dating back to 1970.
On their bikes - a trio of postwomen from Great Wakering wave at our photographer in 1989
Cheeky - Post Office worker Penny Ravencroft gets an affectionate kiss on the cheek from two work colleagues in December 1970
Chain gang - postmen Geoff Connor and Ray Oaker show off their foot chains for snowy conditions in 1982
Postgirl Pat - Pat Hamblion prepares to deliver some letters in 1970
Read more:
- IN PICTURES: Southend Hospital nurses long before Covid struck
- 9 images of Lubbins Park Primary Academy through the years
Feeling the heat - Southend posties Chris Scott, Kerry Kennedy and Trevor Reeve in summer work shorts
He must be barking - a postman is left startled by a dog
Smart ladies - Grace Bishop, Francis Lines and Lilly Simpson were the popular village postwomen of Great Wakering in 1970
Happy - Colin May married Jane Stanlake at St Nicholas Church, Canvey, in February 1984 and he emerged from the church to find his fellow posties had formed a surprise guard of honour with their bicycles
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