THEY are sounding the last post for the second post in Felixstowe.But the irony is that many people in the area didn't even realise the resort and surrounding area had a second daily delivery.

THEY are sounding the last post for the second delivery in Felixstowe.

But the irony is that many people in the area didn't even realise the resort and surrounding area had a second daily post.

From Monday , homes in the seaside town and the twin Trimley villages will in future only get one postal delivery a day.

The change is part of a national move by the Royal Mail to amalgamate first and second deliveries into one single round for postmen and women.

A Royal Mail spokesman said the changes would mean no loss of jobs at the town's main sorting and delivery office.

Mark Thomson, sales and customer director said: "Second deliveries now only contain a tiny proportion of mail - with improved sorting technology and distribution most mail can be taken out by our postmen and women on first deliveries.

"That is why in some areas second deliveries seldom take place.

"However, our current delivery structure is designed for two deliveries a day in urban areas and is therefore inefficient and costly. Second deliveries account for 20 per cent of Royal Mail costs, but represent just four pc of the daily mailbag.

"Increasing the amount of mail on second delivery is not the solution - visiting more addresses twice becomes less and less efficient.

"We therefore need to move to a single delivery for the majority of customers. If we don't do this the cost of delivering mail to every address will become increasingly unaffordable."

Customers will in future receive all their post in one delivery by lunchtime. Most mail will be delivered much earlier with rounds starting from 8am and a number of households will notice little or no change from their current delivery times.

Mr Thomson appealed for households to be patient while the postmen and women get used to their new longer rounds.

People who want their mail early in the day will be able to take advantage of a new free service and collect it from the delivery office in Hamilton Road from 8.30am on request.

Customers should apply in advance to that the security of the mail is protected. Application forms are available from the office at 143 Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, IP11 1AA.

Delivery arrangements for businesses will remain unchanged.

n How do you think the new postal arrangements in Felixstowe will affect you. Write in to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk or visit the forum at www.eveningstar.co.uk