ROYAL Mail is reminding Worcester people to get cracking and post their Christmas cards early to make sure that the festive season goes with a bang.

First class mail needs to be posted by Saturday, December 20, and second class mail should be in the box by Thursday, December 18.

Anyone using Royal Mail’s special delivery for valuable or last minute Christmas gifts are reminded they should be in the post by Tuesday, December 23.

Royal Mail spokesman Mike Dalton said: “We need people to get cracking and post as early as possible.

“With more than two billion items of mail likely to be posted this Christmas it is vital for customers to get their greetings in the post in plenty of time.”

Customers should also properly address items and they should always include the postcode.