WORCESTERSHIRE residents are being advised to post festive cards and parcels early this year because the Royal Mail expects to handle two billion items in its Christmas mailbag.

The last posting date for airmail to Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Asia, the Far East, Middle East, South and Central America and the Caribbean is Friday, December 9.

The final call for posting to Eastern Europe, Japan, Canada and the USA is Monday, December 12, while Wednesday, December 14, is the last recommended day for sending mail Western Europe.

Second class Christmas mail to UK destinations should be posted by Saturday, December 17, and first class post should be in the mail by Tuesday, December 20. Royal Mail's Special Delivery service will take last-minute items up to Thursday, December 22.

People are being advised to use a postcode on all delivery addresses - it takes 30 times long to sort items without one - and to put their own address on the rear of the envelope or package so that undelivered items can be returned.

Gifts should be wrapped with an outer protection, padding and strong sealing tape and should include a separate label with the sender's and recipient's address inside the parcel.

Further details about Christmas postings can be obtained by logging on to www.royalmail.com or ringing 08457 111222.