SHOPPERS are being warned there is a possibility of delays in receiving their parcels due to "exceptionally high" demand by Royal Mail.

The nation's postal service has said it expects most letters and parcels to arrive on time, but the double whammy of more online shopping and tight restrictions caused by Covid-19 could lead to some delays.

It said it is experiencing an "exceptionally high volume of post" but is working hard to get post delivered as fast as possible.

The postal service said: "Royal Mail is working hard to deliver the most comprehensive and high quality service we can to all our customers, large and small.

"The combination of greatly increased uptake of online Christmas shopping, in no small part driven by the recent lockdown, and the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions mean that all delivery companies are experiencing exceptionally high volumes this year.

"Every single parcel, letter and card is important to us. Despite our best efforts and significant investment in extra resource, some customers may experience slightly longer delivery timescales than our usual service standards.

"This is due to the exceptionally high volumes we are seeing, exacerbated by the coronavirus-related measures we have put in place in local mail centres and delivery offices.

"In such cases, we always work hard to get back to providing our usual level of service as quickly as we can. Thank you for your patience and understanding."

The last postal dates for Christmas this year are:

  • 2nd Class - Friday, December 18,
  • 1st Class and Royal Mail Tracked 48 - Monday, December 21,
  • Royal Mail Tracked 24 - Tuesday, December 22,
  • Special Delivery Guaranteed - Wednesday, December 23.