Reporter Ben Robinson spoke with retired milkman Barry Brome, 66, and Graham Robinson, 50, who took the brave decision to give up his job as a site manager 18 months ago to begin a new career delivering milk.

Ben Robinson (BR): Barry, Graham does the same round in Penwortham you did when you were working, but it must have seemed a much more secure job during the 23 years you were doing the job. What was it that attracted you both to this career?

Barry Brome (BB): "I wanted to work for myself and I wanted a job outside. When I came out of the army I needed to work outside. I wanted to be my own boss and I was used to dealing with people."

Graham Robinson (GR): "I have only been doing it since last February.

"I have always worked for other people and decided to try something for myself before the opportunity passed. I decided I had to try it before I was 50.

"I just thought If I make a step for myself I am in control of my own destiny, it is all up to me. People said why are you doing that?"

BR: Butchers have told me the rise of the supermarket hit them really hard, forcing many shops off the high street, before a recent resurgence linked to customers' desire for a return to traditional, local produce.
What has it been like in the milk trade?

BB: "I had only been doing it 18 months when then the supermarkets kicked in. Then, we just could not compete with their prices but that has changed a little bit now.

"Pasteurised milk in supermarkets often comes from the south. It has been milked, then it has to be pasteurised for a day, then transported up here for a day, and even then it does not always go straight on the shelves. So it cannot be as fresh."

For the full interview see Thursday's Lancashire Evening Post.