WHILE we are tucked up in bed in a deep slumber, milkmen are out on force on our streets to guarantee we have that essential first cup of coffee, paper and morning fry-up.

We, at the Guardian, were keen to get a glimpse into the life of the Knutsford milkman and jumped at the chance to go out on the rounds with well-known Sheldon’s Dairy.

The Parkgate-based dairy has been delivering to Knutsford and the surrounding villages’ doorsteps for decades and continues to fly the flag for locally-sourced goods.

It certainly lives up to its motto, ‘Much More Than Milkmen’, and over the years has added a host of other products to its milkfloats.

The range of products include free-range eggs hailing from High Legh, dairy products from Delamere Dairy, milk from the Cheshire Belt and bacon and sausages from Knutsford market – not forgetting the weekly Guardian.

In the early hours of a Friday morning, I joined the team at Sheldon’s. Despite it being pitch-black outside, the milkmen were already hours into their working day and had completed the first of their rounds.

The paper delivery had just arrived and I joined the team in the bustling paper room as they efficiently sorted out their bundles before hitting the roads once again.

The family-run dairy, which has 5,000 customers on its books, delivers around 2,000 papers a day.

Before trying my hand at milkman duties, I spoke to Steve Edwards, son-in-law of founder David Sheldon, about the challenges of the industry.

“We are lucky, we have such brilliant customers,” he said. “When my granddad was a milkman he only sold one type of milk but now we have to provide all different kinds. You have to move with the times.

“The supermarkets are selling milk for next to nothing.

“But our customers are very loyal; they like the convenience and like that we keep it local.”

I was trusted into the hands of David Isaac, A milkman for 11 years.

He delivers to around 400 houses a day and estimates that he walks seven to eight miles a day.

“It certainly keeps you fit and healthy,” he said. “And it keeps you warm on the cold mornings.”

My heeled boots soon proved an unwise choice as I slipped on early morning frost.

Although I enjoyed the novelty of tootling along in the milk float and popping a newspaper or two through the letterbox, I realised how demanding and solitary a job it is.

However, like every job, there are those who treasure being an important cog in their own community.

He said: “We know where our milk and produce is coming from – from the farms down the road – and we deliver to your doorstep.”

With numb toes and heavy eyes, I left the team to make my way to the Guardian office just as the sun was coming up.

What struck me most about the experience was how heartening it was – heartening that, despite being in an age where giant supermarket chains dominate, Knutsford continues to ‘keep it local’.

So next time you tuck in to your morning brew or pop your bread in the toaster, think of the Knutsford milkman who worked tirelessly in the night to set you up for your day.