THE milkman has been a familiar sight on the streets of Britain for decades, and for many families the doorstep delivery service still plays a part in day-to-day life.

Up until as late as the fifties, milkmen used horse-drawn vehicles to get around, before moving onto their famous electric powered floats.

Today, open backed vans are their main mode of transport.

And it is just not milk being delivered to doorsteps up and down the country in time for breakfast, with the vans stocked with fresh bread, eggs, tea, coffee, bacon and fruit juice.

Milk and More has become the UK's longest serving delivery service of its kind.

Part of the Muller group, the company has had to evolve to fit in with the 21st century, giving customers the option to manage their deliveries online.

In a bid to find out just how popular milkmen really still are, Echo reporter Matthew Critchell become one for the day.

His mentor was Steve Woodward, 47, who has been delivering daily essentials for nearly 30 years.

“The demand for the service is ever changing but it is not really noticeable", he said.

“The way that it works is that people will decide they no longer want the milk service and new people do join but it is not hundreds at a time.

"I have only ever been a milkman so I don’t know anything else really.

“Apart from milk, the most popular other product on my round is the fresh orange juice which we deliver in the same bottles as the classic glass milk bottles."

Mr Woodward, whose round covers Pitsea, Corringham and Fobbing, is following in the footsteps of his dad, who was in the business for 40 years.

He said: "I really like how friendly the customers are.

"Some people say the same things everyday and others are waiting for their milk when I arrive in the mornings.

“What is funny is that people seem shocked if I am off for a few days and people always assume that I have gone away on holiday.

“The way that people pay for their milk has also changed such a lot. I used to carry a money bag with change, but only a few people pay in cash now."

Jennifer John, from Milk and More, is positive about the future of the home delivery service.

Part of its appeal, she believes, is that customers can order items up to 9pm for next day delivery.

“This is perfect for people when they have run out of cereal or even bread for the kid’s lunchboxes. It is very flexible and people love that about the service", she said.

The service currently delivers to 12,000 customers from its depot in Times Square, Basildon.

Mrs John said the rang of produces on offer is constantly extending, with 250 household products currently available- including growing bags and compost for keen gardeners, bird seed and feeds and event pet food.

Milk and More is pushing a large recruitment drive in Basildon to keep up with demand.

“The service is extremely popular and we want to make sure that we can keep up the great service and make sure that we can maintain that great service", she said.

For more information, visit mullercareers.co.uk