FROM biting dogs to biting winds, posties face all kinds of hazards in the line of duty.

But Royal Mail has refused to deliver Don Booth’s post because the few flagstones on the flat ground outside his front door have been judged ‘too dangerous’.

For the last five weeks Don, of Hade Edge, has been forced to make four-mile round trips to Holmfirth Post Office to collect his mail.

And even in dry weather Royal Mail has refused to deliver to his house on Dunford Road, although his letterbox can be reached without stepping on the flagstones.

Mr Booth, a management consultant, has branded the company ‘jobsworths’.

Don, 61, said: “They can’t even deliver me a note to say they’ve been.

“There’s three square yards of flagstones next to my porch. They do get slippery in wet weather, but they won’t deliver in dry weather. One of the postmen I spoke to thought this was stupid.

“I had to ring the post office after I hadn’t had any post for 10 days and I was told that the flags were too slippery.

“I’ve even thought of inviting the manager to come to my house and make an assessment.

“Either they’re jobsworths or someone’s playing the health and safety game.

“If they’re going to take this stance they might as well rule out half the properties in Holme Valley.”

Mr Booth added: “Five years ago they left a parcel for me – a £65 pair of running shoes – in my bin and it got thrown away by the binmen. I’m not right pleased with Royal Mail.”