Adver reporter Barrie Hudson and paperboy Matthew Whitehead

DID you hear the one about the paperboy?

He blew away.

The corny old joke came back to me as I trekked around Lawn in the wake of Matthew Whitehead, gusts of wind threatening to send me slithering from pavements and pathways.

At just 13-years-old, Matthew has an energy and sense of direction that will serve him well if he ever takes up orienteering.

For now, though, the Churchfields School pupil is one of the Swindon Advertiser's 240-strong army of delivery agents, who range in age from 13 to their 70s.

Matthew, who lives in Lawn, said: "I've been doing this for three weeks, although I covered for other people before being given my own round.

"I wanted the work experience - and the money isn't too bad."

With this newspaper having started a Delivery Agent of the Year competition, I was interested in shadowing an agent during their round.

Matthew, who usually rides his bike to deliver his 30 or so papers every afternoon, agreed to go on foot so I could keep up.

I offered to carry his bag, which proudly bears the Swindon Advertiser logo. It was the least I could do.

Even though I chose a day when the newspaper isn't particularly huge (according to Matthew, Wednesday editions are the heaviest because of the extensive property section), the bag began to weigh surprisingly heavily after a while.

Not that I was going to admit this to Matthew, of course.

By my estimation, he must cover at least a couple of miles with every round, and probably a little more if walking up and down driveways is factored in.

Matthew manages to cover the distance surprisingly rapidly, and memorised his round within a few days.

He nevertheless carries one of the round lists supplied to every Swindon Advertiser agent.

The March rain held off on the day I shadowed him, which I was especially glad about when we negotiated the muddy paths that make useful shortcuts.

Matthew doesn't much mind the weather, regarding it as an occupational hazard. Other hazards have so far included a single tumble from his bike and an encounter with a worryingly fierce dog.

"I just waited for the owner to reel it in," said Matthew, casually.

I get the feeling he'll go far.

l If you would like your Swindon Advertiser home delivered, please call 01793 501310.

Our Delivery Agent of the Year competition runs throughout the year, with voting taking place in October.

Delivery agents will post voting forms through customers' doors at the end of September.

10:21am Wednesday 19th March 2008

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