ISOLATED villagers who have been relying on a courier service for their mail deliveries have now been told they won't be getting their postman back.

Three residents living above Bettws Village have been without a postman for more than a year.

Colin and Gillian Williams, along with neighbour William Jackson, hit the national headlines earlier this month after a 32 page report drawn up by Postcomm deemed it too dangerous for the postman to make deliveries to their homes at Upper and Lower Cefn Minog.

In the report, which the Williams' branded as 'grossly exaggerated', the inspector identified 23 'hazards' a postman could face including death or serious injury from using the access routes.

The trio lodged an appeal against the decision by Post Comm and the Royal Mail calling for their service to be re-instated or a reduced service offered but have been told they have lost their bid.

Mr Williams said: "We are disgusted with Royal Mail that no compromise has been offered but expected this response" .

Blackwood businessman Gerard Bermingham who heard about their plight on television offered the residents' a lifeline by delivering their post as a short-term solution.

Mr Bermingham, who owns A3 Light Haulage in Blackwood, now collects the post from Abergavenny Post Office and delivers it twice a week.

"I think it's unfair. It does take a little time to get there from the road but I see no reason for Royal Mail to halt deliveries," said Mr Bermingham.

Mr Williams praised Mr Bermingham for stepping in: "We want to express our sincere appreciation to Gerard."

Postcomm is due to carry out a review of its exceptions policy later this year.