PEOPLE who want to send Christmas cards and gifts through the post have been urged to post them in good time.

The Isle of Man Post Office has advised customers to send cards and packages early to ensure they arrive in time for Christmas Day.

Malcolm MacPherson, mail managing director for Isle of Man Post, said: "Last year the snow and ice caused severe disruption to postal services throughout the British Isles in the lead up to Christmas.

"We don't know whether we'll face the same again this year but why take the risk?

"It's our busiest time of the year and I strongly advise our customers to post in good time just in case we do have severe weather again."

Airmail to South and Central America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, the Far East, Australia and New Zealand should be sent no later than December 5.

Mail destined to reach the United States of America and Canada should be posted by December 9.

European airmail should be sent by December 12.

Friends and family of people serving in the forces can send letters and parcels, up to two kg, free of charge to any BFPO address. The last posting date for operational BFPOs is December 2 and the last posting date for static BFPOs is December 15.

The latest posting date for sending letters and packets to the UK and Channel Islands is December 21.

The final day for using the special delivery next-day guaranteed and Parcelforce next-day services is December 22, although special delivery next day with a Saturday guarantee is available for people wanting to post last minute gifts on December 23.

For those people sending post locally the last posting day is December 23.

The Douglas Mail Centre will be open to post parcels and packages from 9am to 7pm from Monday to Friday from December 5 until December 23.

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