RESIDENTS in Droitwich have hit out at Royal Mail as deliveries in the town arrive later and later.

It used to be the case that townsfolk received their post at 7.30am in time to read it with their breakfast. It then went to 9am. Now, according to angry customers, it is not unusual for letters to arrive as late as noon.

It appears the town has become one of the first to operate under Royal Mail's new Single Daily Delivery system.

But the firm - which uses the catchphrase 'With us, it's Personal' - has come under fire for its decision.

Resident John Cook, who is also a town councillor, said the service felt anything but personal.

"We are not getting the post until lunchtime, it is absolutely appalling," he said.

"It has been arriving later and later for months now. Soon it will be night when we get it.

"The postmen and women seem to be starting work later and as there is someone different every day delivering in our street, they take longer because they don't know the area.

"People are putting first class stamps on letters, but we are not getting a first class service."

Sue Jones, of Oakleigh Road, is disgusted to have to wait until noon for the mail.

"I have some important letters and documents arrive through the post, and it is very inconvenient to have to wait until lunchtime," she said.

Better

"Not only that, but if it is a special occasion, such as a birthday or anniversary, people are having to wait half a day for cards from relatives or friends. Their special day is almost over by the time the post arrives."

Roy Hewlett, of St Mary's Road, Droitwich added: "People expect a better service than this, and we deserve a better one."

Royal Mail spokesman Dan Pane said the town was now operating under the new Single Daily Delivery Service, which amalgamates first and second deliveries.

"We are doing this on a rolling basis and Droitwich is one of the areas which is already experiencing the new initiative," he said.

"We are doing it for financial reasons. It used to be that we delivered just three per cent of the post in our second delivery, but it took up 20 per cent of the cost.

"That didn't make sense to us."

n A businesswoman did not receive any mail for more than two months - because the postman could not find her house.

Margaret Clare was forced to watch as letters were delivered to her neighbours on the opposite side of the street.

The divorcee, who runs her own recruitment agency, claims she was told by officials at her local sorting office that only even numbered houses in Moor Road North, Gosforth, Newcastle, got any mail.

This was because there were only enough sorting boxes to hold letters for houses with even numbers on her street, Mrs Clare said.