COUNCILLOR Debs Edwards paid a visit to the Royal Mail delivery's office to thank postmen and women for their 'hardwork' and 'dedication' during the Christmas period.

On Monday, December 10 the councillor experienced first-hand how the delivery office works during one of their busiest periods.

Upon arrival, the delivery office manager introduced Cllr Debs Edwards to the postmen and women in which she gave her thanks and passed season's greetings.

Paul Leishman, Royal Mail delivery office manager said: “Our postmen and women are working extremely hard to deliver Christmas parcels, cards, letters and parcels to people in Reading. We are grateful that Debs visited the office to see our operation and to support the team.

“We’d like to remind our customers to post early and to ensure all their mail is posted by the recommended dates, so that friends and family can enjoy their Christmas greetings and parcels. If everyone uses the postcode on every item of mail, this also helps us greatly in the job that we do at this very busy time.”

The Christmas season can be particularly hard for the staff, especially as millions of people shop online for gifts as well as sending Christmas cards and parcels.

Councillor Debs Edwards added: "“At no other time is the hard work and dedication of postmen and women clearer than during the festive period. There is a huge amount of effort and dedication that goes into delivering a first class Christmas all over the country.

“It was great to meet the team here at Reading and thank them for the extraordinary lengths they go to ensure Christmas parcels and cards are delivered to loved ones on time, as well as thanking them for delivering our mail services all through the year, in all weathers.”

The final dates to get cards and parcels in early is Thursday, December 20 for first class, Tuesday, December 18 for second class and Saturday, December 22 for special delivery.