Royal Mail is giving customers an extra helping hand in the run-up to Christmas by extending the opening hours at delivery offices across the Bradford postcode area.

Up until Christmas Eve the normal hours will be longer for customers to pick up parcels after receiving “a something for you card” from their postman.

Delivery offices will also be open later on Saturdays, December 14 and 21, and for customers who cannot get to their nearest delivery office they can also arrange free redelivery to their address or to another address in the same postcode if they want.

Customers can also collect parcels from their local Post Office for a small fee.

Royal Mail delivery director Gary Milne said: “Christmas is the busiest time of year for Royal Mail and our customers. We know that many people don’t want to wait for redelivery so we are extending our opening hours to make it easier for customers who want to pick up their parcels in person.

“Customers can help us by picking up parcels as quickly as possible or arranging redelivery as quickly as possible.”

The last posting dates for Christmas delivery are Friday, December 20, for first class, Wednesday, December 18, for second class and Monday, December 23, for special delivery. Friday is the last day for the USA and Saturday for Air-mail to Western Europe, excluding France, Greece and, Poland.