POSTIES at Stroud Delivery Office were paid a visitor by a local politician.

Neil Carmichael MP for Stroud popped into the Royal Mail office to pass on his Christmas wishes and encouragement to the postmen and women at their busiest time of year.

He was shown round the office by manager Andy Yarworth, who introduced him to the team working hard sorting and delivering cards and parcels in the district in the run-up to Christmas.

Mr Carmichael said: “It was great to meet the dedicated, hard-working Royal Mail postmen and women at Stroud delivery office and to see first-hand just how much effort they put into delivering for people at this time of year.

“Postmen and women do such an important job at this time of year. I like to thank them for their efforts and wish them all the best over the busy festive period.”

Mr Yarworth said the team had appreciated the visit. “Christmas is the busiest time of year for Royal Mail,” he explained. “Our people pull out all the stops throughout the year to ensure mail is delivered quickly, but even more so over the busy festive period. We are grateful that Neil Carmichael MP came along to see the hard work that goes on behind the scenes.”

“Our people do a fantastic job at this time of year to ensure that friends and families stay in touch through their Christmas greetings and gifts.”

He added that customers should post early so as to ensure their deliveries make it to recipients in time for Christmas.

The last posting dates this Christmas are Wednesday, December 18 for second class mail, Friday, December 20 for first class mail and Monday, December 23 for special delivery. Airmail abroad should have already been sent on its way.