THERE was a time when we believed that something great had happened to one of the institutions of life in Britain.

We're talking about the time when the then Prime Minister, John Major, decided to turn the honours system into an opportunity for the nation to champion the work of our communities' unsung heroes.

To our great disappointment, that welcome initiative has, gradually, petered out to the point where New Year and Birthday honours lists, once again, are overpopulated by those skilled in political back-scratching or social-climbing.

That's why, while it's not for us to say whether Worcester postman Tony Gent's devotion to his customers marks him out for an honour, it is for us to highlight what they think of him.

It's one thing to have the gratitude of the man and woman in the street for a reliable service and a cheery disposition.

It's another for them to want to make a lasting memory of it by planning a surprise party and having a whipround of the size which would put most office collections to shame.

If you have a feeling of dj-vu about this, don't worry.

In the past, we've risked pouring embarrassment on the heads of people like Bringsty Common postie Don Griffiths and Kempsey milkman Ken Atkinson - to name just two noteworthy individuals from the many we've lauded - for their devotion.

It's reassuring that there are still people - many people - like Tony Gent who take pride from making everything they can of what might be dismissed as one of the community's less important jobs, and enjoy the satisfaction that comes with it.

It's also reassuring that the public at large has the vision to see it and, when most of our lives are a hurly-burly blur, the time to say thanks.