An extra 150 workers will be drafted into Bradford to help Royal Mail recover after the recent severe weather.

Across the country, more than 3,000 people have been recruited to support the Christmas operation during the next fortnight as part of Royal Mail’s £20 million investment to deal with the worst weather in 30 years.

And with more snow and ice forecast, the extra recruits will provide valuable assistance to mail centre workers, HGV drivers and postmen and women helping deliver cards, letters and presents at the busiest time of the year. Most of the 150 workers heading to Bradford have already been recruited.

But Royal Mail bosses are still looking for more temporary workers to help bounce back after the disruption which caused particular problems in the North East, Yorkshire, the Midlands and Scotland.

Leeds Mail Centre is getting an extra 290 people to help in the Christmas rush.

Monday was Royal Mail’s busiest day so far during the festive period with about 130 million cards, letters and presents being handled.

Royal Mail managing director Mark Higson said: “We are pulling out all the stops to deliver this Christmas.

“The worst December weather the UK has seen in almost 30 years has had an impact on our services to some parts of the country.

“With this additional £20 million investment, we are committed to ensure we deliver letters and packets as quickly as possible. Our people are doing a great job in very challenging conditions.

“I would like to thank them for their tremendous efforts to ensure we continue to deliver right up until Christmas Eve.”

Royal Mail is advising customers, irrespective of the weather conditions, to post early in time for Christmas.

The last posting dates for Christmas are Saturday for second-class items, Tuesday for first-class mail and packets and Thursday, December 23, for special delivery.

For more information, go to royalmail.com/serviceupdates/.