CONCERNS have been voiced over the plight of Royal Mail's delivery service in Christchurch.

The Dorset town was named as one of 28 locations in Great Britain to have reported a reduced postal service as a high number of Royal Mail staff are unable to work due to ongoing ill health or self-isolating due to the pandemic.

Having published a statement with the list of locations on its website, Royal Mail said it was “working hard to deliver the most comprehensive and high-quality service we can to all our customers”.

Elderly residents in the town are continuing to follow guidance from the government and local surgeries in staying at home and not calling to ask about vaccinations.

However, the ongoing issue has led them to worry about missing postal notifications about when they are able to receive a Covid-19 vaccine.

The Mayor of Christchurch Lesley Dedman said that the current dilemma is making “an already worrying situation even more stressful” as residents in the town are becoming increasingly agitated about not receiving their potentially “lifesaving invitation”.

She said: “I understand the problems the Post Office is experiencing, especially in Christchurch, which are the same as in many businesses.

“The Post Office say the absence of staff who are ill or self-isolating is exacerbated as they are experiencing more demand than usual.

“But I do hope there is some way that they can ensure mail from surgeries inviting our local old folk to their vaccination appointment gets through, as I know from talking to residents that they are well aware that they have to wait to be invited, rather than call the surgery.

“These problems make an already worrying situation even more stressful for our residents, who are following the guidelines, but now have the concern that their post carrying this lifesaving invitation may not get through on time.”