Royal Mail will be operating extended opening hours in more than 1,200 delivery offices in the main cities and towns across the UK during December. 

The increased opening hours are part of Royal Mail’s substantial financial commitment at Christmas to handle the festive mailbag. Christmas opening hours details are available in each delivery office. 

The company has recruited 19,000 seasonal workers and opened nine temporary parcel sort centres. 

Opening hour information is available at delivery offices, on the ’something for you’ cards left by the postman or online at  www.royalmail.com . Customers requiring more support can call customer services on 03457 740 740. 

UK latest recommended posting dates for Christmas 2016 are: 

Tuesday, December 20 for second class mail. 

Wednesday, December 21 for first class mail.

Thursday, December 22 for special delivery. 

Friday, December 23 special delivery Saturday guaranteed.