IT may not sound the most dangerous job in the world, but delivering the mail has its hazards.

In the past year, there have been around 75 dog attacks on postal staff in the Swindon postcode area.

Dog attacks account for around 16 per cent of accidents on duty, which means that 60 to 70 working days are lost each year.

Nationwide, dog attacks on Royal Mail postal workers account for 25 per cent of accidents on duty.

Now the Royal Mail has launched an awareness campaign to encourage dog owners to keep their pets under control when the postman or woman calls.

Sue Waters, 52, of Penhill, has been delivering the post in Blunsdon, for 13 years.

She said: "We are just trying to get on with the job. There is a saying that nothing should get in the way of the Royal Mail.

"A few years ago I was delivering on my bicycle in Blunsdon, when a man in a car asked me for directions. On the other side of the road, there was a man walking a dog.

"The dog ran across the road bit on my coat and dragged me off my bike. I nearly went over the wall of the graveyard. It was quite scary."

In July 2001, the Evening Advertiser reported on the case of Poppy the 12-inch chihuahua who regularly attacked the postman. It resulted in her owner, Emma Ruck, receiving a letter stating that doorstep deliveries could be withdrawn.

Kay Giblett, dog warden for Swindon Council, says dogs often see the postman as an invader.

"Dogs think very differently to us," she said. "They think by association, so if everyday a postman in a distinctive uniform or on a bicycle delivers the mail by invading the dog's territory, even the most docile dogs can turn.

"It is a good idea to break this association and introduce the mailman when the dog is at a younger age or as a puppy."

Fellow postwoman, Ann Millin, who also delivers in Blunsdon, said: "During our training we are given little advice on how to deal with dogs, so now many of us try to make friends with any dogs we encounter."

Many staff carry dog biscuits with them, despite advice from Royal Mail.

Dan Panes, a spokesman for Royal Mail, said: "We owe a duty of care to our employees, and we cannot accept a situation where they are knowingly putting themselves at risk of dog attack.

"Householders who cannot or will not guarantee the safety of our staff will find their mail deliveries suspended. In the more serious cases we will seek the assistance of the police or local dog wardens."