SANTA and his reindeer may have a hectic time at Christmas, but spare a thought for the Royal Mail staff who help deliver an estimated 2,100,000,000 cards, letters and parcels across Britain.

In Herefordshire and Worcestershire alone 3,800,000 items will be transported, sorted and delivered to our doors over the coming weeks.

In the Evesham sorting office, the 87 full-time staff and bracing themselves for an exhausting few weeks spreading festive cheer across The Vale.

Postman Beverley Layton has already moved to a longer shift, which runs from 3.30am-1pm. "It's going to be a lot more work but I am used to it. This is a friendly place to work even with the Christmas pressure," she said.

Delivery office manager Phil Preece said the Evesham sorting office, which was not effected by this year's strikes, is getting so busy throughout the year that expansion is planned. As well as the growth of the town and area - there are now 22,000 homes to reach, he said that 'snail mail' was also benefiting from the rise of the Internet. "It has generated more work for us. When people order things on-line the items are usually delivered through us. !It's done our business a lot of good."

The expansion plans for the sorting office will also include a new caller's office on the High Street, making it easier and more pleasant for people to pick up bulky parcels. "The building work is long over due - Evesham thoroughly deserves a bit of investment," said Mr Preece. This year's new Christmas stamps feature frozen artworks created by Scottish artist and sculptor Andy Goldsworthy.

People buying 12 first class stamps, either in a book or loose, will have the chance to have a very merry Christmas.

The stamps come with special game cards with a top prize of £1 million.

For a more personal touch the Royal Mail has also introduced Christmas Smilers, which give people the chance to have an image or picture of their choice next to the stamp on their envelopes. The new stamps are now available from Post Office counters.