THE morning milkman and his electric float will soon be delivering letters and parcels as part of their daily round after Express Dairies won a long-term licence to deliver business post to households.

Awarded by independent postal services regulator Postcomm, the new standard licence has a minimum life of seven years and replaces the interim licence granted last summer allowing Express to deliver up to 4.6 million packets and mail from businesses to households. Express uses its 100-strong depot network and milk round staff to deliver parcels and packets over the last few miles. The company delivers about 20,000 items each week, a number expected to grow quickly following the granting of the licence.

Executive director Tim Smith said: 'Express has taken the concept of delivering parcels and packets from businesses to households by our dedicated round staff and proved it works.'