Royal Mail postie Fiona Graham delivers Easter eggs

In fact, the Allonby and Mawbray postie was doing what she does best – brightening up the lives of her customers.

Fiona, 59 ,who has been a postie for 33 years, has tried to keep up everyone’s spirits ever since the first lockdown last year.

At that time she started dressing up as all sorts of characters and animals – bumble bees, Snow White, Robin Hood and more.

That was to raise money – and she did. She got £1,940 for NHS charities.

But it is not just fundraising that has made Fiona popular.

“I am aware that I am the only person some people see from one day to the next during lockdown. I always try to stop and have a chat to those who are shielding and isolating. I enjoy it and it means they have someone to talk to.

Fiona, from High Street, Maryport, had already decided she would take Easter eggs to the children on her round.

“We sometimes forget how hard the pandemic and lockdowns have affected children.”

However, things happened quicker than expected.

“Holme St Cuthbert’s School in Mawbray was doing a project on bumble bees. The head remembered my costume from last year and asked if I would wear it to school.

“I decided I might as well combine it with dishing out the Easter eggs.”

On the ‘hoarding’ issue, she said she asked the supermarket manager about buying 100 Easter eggs and was given permission.

“I still felt quite worried coming out of the supermarket, though. You see these pictures of people who have been photographed and I was really worried I was going to end up on a website!”

She delivered the eggs to Allonby and Holme St Cuthbert’s and to any other children on her round.

“I have five left. I just hope all the children have received one. I would hate to leave anyone out.”

The costumes have been put away again but will no doubt emerge at another time – especially the “bee for Allonbee.”