Weather is snow match for Billy and his team

FIRST class team... Elizabeth Bain and Billy Roberts

When the going gets tough...
A BLANKET of thick snow couldn’t stop Oldham Chronicle man Billy Roberts from delivering the news across the borough.

When things get chilly — very chilly — locals count on Billy to post their favourite paper.

The 52-year-old business owner proved the early whiteout was no match as he battled Arctic conditions in Saddleworth.

He set up the Oldham Direct Delivery Service after being made redundant from his job as circulation manager for the Mirror.

Making sure over 130 papers a day are posted around Denshaw and Delph, Billy now makes the 20-mile round trip from his home in Royton, donning waterproofs and boots to battle the white stuff.

He said: “People were really appreciative that we managed to get the paper to them.

“The weather has been absolutely atrocious, but people expect their paper.

“Some have been stuck in their homes and what we do is like a community service, especially a lot of the elderly, who just can’t get out.”

It’s the first winter obstacle for the dedicated local man, who stepped in to deliver the Chronicle in Denshaw when volunteers stopped opening the village hall daily.

He said: “It’s funny, I’ve gone from being a paperboy when I was young to doing it again now I’m older.

“It’s brilliant though, I jog parts of the way and use it as an outdoor gym, I’m the fittest I’ve ever been.”

Billy wasn’t alone in his quest, his partner Donna Clark lends a helping hand while Elizabeth Bain, from Dobcross Post Office, joined the snow patrol to make sure stranded locals still received their post.