A DAIRYMAN who has been delivering milk since he was knee-high to a cow is hoping he has the bottle to make him national Milkman of the Year.

Fred Collinson, 59, began accompanying his dad on a horse and cart as a young child and has been running his own business from Whitecroft Farm, Haslingden, for 35 years.

Now he has been named as the North West regional champion to take part the national finals to find the cream of the doorstep delivery industry.

Ten thousand entered. Only 12 remain.

Fred is hoping he is made of the "white stuff" to win the final in London on April 6 and to win a £15,000 Volvo S40. But he took time out from celebrating his success to express concern about colleagues caught up in the foot and mouth disease outbreak. He said: "This is certainly going to be a problem unless it can be contained. We seem to get getting one blow after another, it is a very worrying time."

Fred was born and brought up on local farms.

He said: "When I was a youngster I remember going out on the horse and cart with my dad William Thomas.

"I can tell you it was more than a bit cold at times. There were no heaters in those days especially on a horse-drawn cart."

In those days it was all milking on the farm and taking the milk out in churns.

Some of the delivery is still from Mr Collinson's 60 milkers.

Fred gets up each day at 3.10am to be ready for setting out on his deliveries at 4am long before the crack of dawn for much of the year.

During the day he delivers 100 gallons to between 450-500 premises in the local area, no longer using a horse and cart but a milk float.

About four and a half hours later he gets back to the farm for a meal and a "tidy up" before getting more milk to start delivering milk to shops.

That is followed by dealing with paperwork and getting things ready for the next day.

Four in the afternoon is milking time with about 60 milkers on the farm at the present time.

Eventually there is time for a little relaxation before going to bed about 9pm.

Fred, who is married to Susan and has six children, said: "I was totally stunned and shocked when I was told I'd made it through to the final.

"I just want to thank all my customers for nominating me, although one said 'he supplies all my needs', which my wife joked could be read in a number of ways."

The National Dairymen's Association event is held to recognise the special service they provide to communities great and small.

One of the customers to nominate Fred for the title was Crawshawbooth primary school administrator Julia Haworth of Whitecroft Avenue off Helmshore Road.

Mum of two Julia said: "Fred has been our milkmen since we moved here about seven years ago.

"I based the nomination on his name Fred for Friendly, Reliable, Everyday Delivery."

Customer Jennifer Rawlinson of Helmshore Road, Haslingden, said: "In rain or shine the milk is always on the doorstep without fail, in 22 years he has never missed once." PICTURE: Fred Collinson gets up just after 3am every morning and delivers to 500 premises