Alok Sharma, the Member of Parliament for Reading West, visited Royal Mail’s Reading West Delivery Office today to pass on Christmas wishes and encouragement to postmen and women at their busiest time of year.

Mr Sharma was shown around the office by Delivery Office Manager, Simon Foster, and was introduced to the postmen and women who are working hard sorting and delivering mail in the Reading West area during the festive season.

Alok Sharma said: “It is always a pleasure to visit the Reading West Delivery Office and to meet the team working hard to deliver a first class Christmas at Royal Mail’s busiest time of year. Our postal workers do such an important job all year round and I would like to thank them for their efforts and wish them all the best over the busy festive period.”

Simon Foster, Royal Mail Delivery Office Manager at Reading West, commented: “Our postmen and women are working extremely hard to deliver Christmas cards, letters and parcels to people across Reading West. We are grateful that Alok visited the office to see our operation and to support the team.

Simon continued: “We’d like to remind our customers to post early so that friends and family have longer to enjoy their Christmas greetings. We would also like to ask everyone to please always use the postcode as this helps us greatly in the job that we do at this busy time.”

The last recommend posting dates for Christmas are:

Second Class – Saturday 19 December 2015

First Class – Monday 21 December 2015

Special Delivery – Wednesday 23 December 2015

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 a 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, visit: www.royalmail.com/greetings or call 03457 740 740.