THE deadline is quickly approaching to send loved ones Christmas mail.

The Royal Mail has issued its guidance for last postal dates to send parcels, letters and cards on time.

The advice is to send early, write a clear postcode and include a return address, just in case.

Simon Barker, Royal Mail’s UK process operations director, said: “Christmas is the busiest time of year for Royal Mail and our customers. As we do every year, we are encouraging people to post and order presents early to help us spread the workload in the run up to Christmas. The postcode is critical at this time of year - it really does make a difference. We are asking everyone to help our hardworking postmen and women by using the postcode, writing clearly on their cards and parcels and including a return address just in case."

The recommended last posting dates for Christmas are:

Tuesday, December 18 for second-class mail

Thursday, December 20 for first-class mail

Saturday, December 22 for special delivery