A popular milkman is retiring from making his early morning rounds to spend more time with his wife and family.

Malcolm McQueen, a milkman at the Dairy Crest Milk&More depot in Long Lane, Hillingdon, has spent the last 42 years delivering milk to homes in Ruislip.

The 65-year-old will hand in the keys to his milk float after his final shift on Saturday (July 26).

He told GetWestLondon he is looking forward to spending more time with his wife, two children, a step-daughter and five grandchildren.

"At the moment I see my wife for around three hours a day," he said. "Although I have enjoyed my days as a milkman I am looking forward to spending more time with my wife and family and having time to put my feet up. 

"I have enjoyed delivering to the local community but the time is right for me to retire."

Mr McQueen started his career as a roundsman, before becoming a rounds inspector and milk stock controller.

He has served the same streets in Ruislip for the last 20 years, becoming a franchisee milkman in 1997, but said he won't miss getting up for work in the middle of the night.

Whatever the weather, Mr McQueen left his home in Ashford, Staines at 11pm, started his round in the borough at midnight and delivered his last pint of milk by 6am.

"I get home at 8am, just in time to make my wife breakfast before she goes to work. The whole routine begins again at 6pm, having just enough time to enjoy dinner with my wife before going to bed at 8pm," he said.

Malcolm with his milk float

Darren Moggridge, depot manager at Hillingdon said: "Malcolm is a role model for all milkmen. His dedication to ensuring all his customers have fresh milk on their doorstep in time for breakfast is honourable. 

"Whilst most people are deep in sleep, Malcolm is driving around the streets of Ruislip. He will be heavily missed by everyone at the depot but we have equally dedicated members of staff that will serve his round from Monday, July 28 onwards."

Far from being a "dying breed", there are around 5,000 milkmen in the UK, delivering to some two and a half million homes. Milk&More milkmen accounts for more than half of those.