Councillors Tony Capozzoli and Val Keitch thank local postmen and women

Councillor Tony Capozzoli visited the Yeovil Sorting Office, while Councillor Val Keitch visited the Ilminster Sorting Office and were each shown around by the Delivery Office Managers for each site and introduced to the postmen and women, who will be pulling out all the stops to sort and deliver mail in the South Somerset area in the forthcoming busy Christmas period.

The Festive Season is Royal Mail's busiest period, as millions of people shop online for gifts as well as sending Christmas cards and parcels. Royal Mail also plays a key role in e-commerce for many businesses sending goods to customers throughout Christmas shopping season.

Above: Staff at the sorting office in Yeovil sort and organise mail and parcels for distribution

Councillor Tony Cappozoli, said: "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 at Yeovil Sorting Office and thank them on behalf of South Somerset District Council and the whole of South Somerset for the extraordinary lengths they will 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."

Above: Councillor Tony Cappozoli, Chairman of South Somerset District Council, visits staff at the Yeovil Sorting Office

Councillor Val Keitch, said: "I was truly amazed at the amount of post - letters and parcels - that the dedicated team sort and distribute on a daily basis. The run up to Christmas is an extremely busy period for the staff and we thank them for all that they do, particularly over this time of the year."

Above: Councillor Val Keitch (second right), Leader of South Somerset District Council, visits staff at the Ilminster Sorting Office

Customers do not need to travel to a Royal Mail Delivery office to pick up parcels if they can't or do not want to. They can arrange a redelivery free of charge on a day that is convenient for them (including Saturdays), or Royal Mail can deliver the item to a different address within the same postcode area. This service can be arranged by calling the number on the "Something for You" card we leave or by visiting our website.

Royal Mail can also now leave many mail items with a neighbour* if customers are not at home when we attempt delivery. Customers can nominate a dedicated neighbour to take in their parcels by filling in a form at their delivery office.

Customers can also help Royal Mail ensure that all their letters, cards and parcels are delivered as quickly and efficiently as possible by taking a few easy steps:

• Post early - Avoid disappointment by posting your cards and parcels early. 
• Use the postcode - A clearly addressed card or parcel, with a postcode, and return address on the back of the envelope, will ensure quick and efficient delivery.
• Use Special Delivery - For valuable and important packages and parcels guarantee delivery with Royal Mail's Special Delivery, which means your gift is tracked, traced and insured against loss.
• Wrap parcels well and always give a return address
• For more information about Royal Mail's last recommended posting dates, please visit their website or call 03457 740 740.