Central Royal Mail News

Christmas has come early for some primary school children in the Midlands.

Today Royal Mail announced their 2013 Christmas Stamp competition, giving children the chance to create the winning design for the first time in more than 30 years.

Some schoolchildren in Walsall have been getting into the festive spirit.

• UK
• Walsall
• Royal Mail

Royal Mail will be at The Radleys Primary School in Walsall today to encourage children to submit designs for 2013's Christmas stamps.

It is only the third time since 1966 and 1981 that the official Christmas stamp has been designed by children.

The theme this year is 'What does the Christmas season mean to you?' and the competition is open to children aged 4-11.

As with all special stamps issued by the Royal Mail, the designs will have to be approved by the Queen.

• UK
• Walsall
• Royal Mail

It's the last day to post your first class mail today.

Sorting offices in the Midlands are asking people to make sure they write addresses correctly and neatly on their Christmas cards, to make sure they arrive in time.

• UK
• Royal Mail
• Christmas Post

The Royal Mail have suspended delivering mail to two roads in Stoke-on-Trent as they have deemed the pavements there too dangerous for their postmen to walk down.

• Health
• Royal Mail
• Postmen

The Royal Mail have suspended the delivery of mail in two roads in Stoke-on-Trent.

They say they had raised their concerns to residents as the local authority state that the responsibility for the pavements laid with the residents.

They have released this statement:

"It is always a last resort if we decide to temporarily suspend deliveries in a particular location."

"In this particular case, we have temporarily suspended deliveries to addresses in Maryfield Walk and Rogerstone Avenue area of Penkhull, Stoke on Trent, because of the very poor state of the pavements in the area."

"We previously raised our concerns with residents about the safety risk posed, having been informed by the local authority that the maintenance of the pavements was the responsibility of the residents, but to date these haven’t been addressed."

"We carried out a further risk assessment last week and the paving clearly posed a safety risk. We have a duty of care to our postmen and women, we are not prepared to compromise on the safety of our colleagues."

"Their mail is currently being made available for them to collect from the delivery office in Stoke-on-Trent."

• Health
• Royal Mail
• Postmen

Residents in Stoke-on-Trent are being forced to travel three miles to collect their post because uneven slabs outside their homes are considered a safety risk. The Royal Mail has suspended deliveries to two roads in Penkhull after raising concerns.

And homeowners are being told because they own the paths they must pay for repairs.

• UK
• Post office
• Health and safety

The Royal Mail says it wants to take legal action against owners of dogs that attack its postal workers. 200 postmen and women were attacked in the West Midlands between April last year and this year.

The move follows a report by a former high court judge which recomends tougher legal sanctions against owners of dangerous dogs.

• UK
• Royal Mail
• Dog Attacks

The Royal Mail has confirmed plans to close its Shrewsbury sorting office. It is thought as many as 240 jobs are now at risk. More to follow.

• Business
• shrewsbury
• royal mail