Postal workers have performed a "Christmas miracle" to help a Brentwood couple take up an opportunity of a lifetime.

Oliver Crudgington, 21, of Shevon Way, and his fiancee Emma Washer, 24, of Willowdene, Pilgrims Hatch, were planning a dream trip to Keystone, Colorado, to work at a ski resort for six months.

A day before they were set to travel, however, their plans were faced with ruin because Oliver's passport had still not been returned by the U S embassy.

Alerted by a panicking Oliver, Brentwood Postal Delivery Office pulled out all the stops to find the vital letter and finally retrieved it nine hours before Oliver and Emma were due to fly from Heathrow.

Oliver's delighted mum Gaynor Crudgington said: "Hooray for Brentwood Post Office! Our wonderful posties deserve an award for services above and beyond the call of duty. This was our Christmas miracle performed by some of the busiest people at this time of year and we can not thank them enough for all their help, kindness and patience."

Oliver and Emma had taken their passports up to the US Embassy in London to get their work permits stamped and were assured they would be returned by the end of the week.

This would, they thought, give them plenty of time before they were booked to fly on the following Tuesday.

But by the Monday afternoon only Emma's passport had arrived and both were starting to be seriously concerned - especially as it was too late to cancel their tickets. Oliver contacted the post office to find out the latest situation, but did not hold out much hope due to the time of year.

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