Whistling postman Dale Howting has managed to raise £8,800 for charity despite the economic gloom.

Dale, 88, used to sit on his bike in Sittingbourne town centre collecting donations but now has a mobility scooter as his base in Roman Square off the High Street.

He said: "I'd like to thank everyone for helping me collect so much in the circumstances. I am very proud of them."

Once again, he is planning to send cheques to 30 charities thanks to the "generous people of Swale and visitors to the borough."

This year's result takes the total amount he has raised for charity since 1977 to £317,188. His first cheque was to Sittingbourne carnival association which has now folded. In 1990 he was presented with the British Empire Medal for his charitable work.

Dale, who lives in Goodnestone Road, Sittingbourne, added: "I'd like to thank Joanne Povey of the Bayleaf cafe for my morning sustenance. Their breakfasts have been a vital ingredient in getting me started every day."

He also paid tribute to accountants UHY Hacker Young for keeping his books in order, Peter West for his clerical support and those who supplied him with drinking water during the summer's heatwave.

He said: "I wish everyone who has helped me over the past year a happy Christmas and new year."

He first found fame after he was told off for whistling on his rounds and became a celebrity overnight when town folk demanded he carry on with his tunes. He has been paying them back ever since.

He will hand over £3,000 each to the Kent Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance and Demelza Hospice for Children and £100 each to the following charities: 55 Fellowship, Age UK Sittingbourne and Faversham, Blind Fellowship, COGs Swale, Community Church in Sheerness, Faversham Lights, Freedom Centre Sheerness, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Holy Trinity Church Sittingbourne, Kent Autistic Trust, Methodist church Sittingbourne, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, Royal Society of St George, Salvation Army Sittingbourne, Sittingbourne FC, Sittingbourne Lights Association, St Bartholomew's Church in Bobbing, St Mary's Church in Teynham, St Michael's in Sittingbourne, Strode church in Sittingbourne, the Swale Mayor's charity and Tunstall church.