A POSTMAN collapsed and died of natural causes while on his rounds in treacherous weather conditions on Exmoor.

John Bircham, 57, had been battling through snow and ice to deliver the mail and was in Hawkwell Lane between Dulverton and East Anstey when tragedy struck.

A post mortem carried out on Monday followed widespread speculation in the national media that Mr Bircham suffered a heart attack while trying to free his van from a deep snowdrift.

But West Somerset coroner's officer Richard Davies said there would not be an inquest into Mr Bircham's death and that many reports in the national press had been incorrect.

Dulverton Mayor Chris Nelder said he believed Mr Bircham's van had been towed out of the snow by a passing farmer who then became concerned when the vehicle did not move any further.

"When the van didn't follow him he went back to see what was wrong," Mr Nelder said.

He said news of the popular postman's death had come as a shock to everyone in the tight-knit community.

"He was a keen footballer, community-spirited and a real family man.

"He was always out with his grandchildren Lewis and Evelyn walking around the town, and being involved with the town's football club meant he was always involved with community events.

"He was well known and very well respected and will be sorely missed."

Mr Bircham was born and bred in Dulverton and had worked at the town's delivery office for 25 years.

Royal Mail manager Ian Frankum paid tribute to the dedicated postman, who would be remembered around the town as a kind and friendly man.

"It is with great sadness that colleagues at the Dulverton delivery office learned of the death of postman John Bircham at the weekend," he said.

"He was a valued member of staff. He will be sorely missed by his colleagues and our deepest sympathies go out to his family at this sad time."

Mr Bircham leaves a wife, Wendy, a daughter Becky, and two sons, Wayne and Jamie, who shared his interest in local football.

Mr Bircham played for Dulverton Town Football Club in the 1970s and in later years was a dedicated committee member and tireless fundraiser.

John Atkins, the club's secretary and treasurer, said Mr Bircham was a credit to the community:

"John was one of the few who put something back into the club when he finished playing.

"He would turn up to watch and sell tickets for the club draw."

Club members are planning their own tribute to Mr Bircham.

His funeral will be held at All Saints Church in Dulverton next Friday, February 1, at 3pm.

There will be family flowers only but donations can be made to the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and the Seahorse Voluntary Fund via Hedley Price Funeral Directors.