Posting a letter will cost the same for Isle of Man and UK deliveries from the end of this month.

The Post Office is increasing the price of a local stamp from 40p to 42p, while the cost of posting to the UK remains the same at 42p. Large letters will cost 90p to send and special delivery prices will also see a 'modest' increase, says the Post Office, adding that prices here remain among the lowest in Europe.

Post Office chairman Geoff Corkish MLC said: 'Some customers will benefit from prices being held for a further year whilst others will see an increase. Contributory factors to the price changes include a number of increases to postage and ancillary services as a result of changing commercial agreements with Royal Mail, the need to simplify our tariffs for customers and the continual decline of mail volumes.

'The Isle of Man Post Office is an innovative and forward thinking organisation and for the last five years posted volumes have been declining at around four per cent per annum. Due to this situation we are trying to stop this decline by identifying and expanding into new areas of business to ensure the Post Office sustains itself over the long term and continues to provide customers with the most competitive prices it is able to.'

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