The last recommended dates for posting presents and cards in time for Christmas have been announced.
Customers of the Royal Mail are being reminded to plan ahead so their deliveries, both within the UK and overseas, arrive on time.
For those hoping to send gifts or Christmas cards by second class post, including Signed For 2nd Class, the last date is Tuesday, December 18 while the last date for first class post, including Signed For 1st Class and Royal Mail Tracked 48, is Thursday, December 20.
Customers hoping to send post by Royal Mail Tracked 24 will have as late as Friday, December 21 while those using the Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed service will be able to post as late as Saturday, December 22 - only three days before Christmas day.
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The first of the international recommended last posting dates is for Africa and the Middle East which should be sent by tomorrow (December 4).
This Friday (December 7) is the recommended deadline for people who want to send their post to Cyprus, Malta, Asia, the Far East and Eastern Europe - not including Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
For the Caribbean and Central and South America, all mail should be sent by this Saturday (December 8) while those hoping to sent post to loved ones in Australia, New Zealand, Greece and Turkey should post items by Monday, December 10.
Letters and parcels to Canada, the Czech Republic, Italy, Poland and the USA can be posted until Friday, December 14 to arrive in time for Christmas meanwhile post to Finland and Sweden need to be sent by Saturday, December 15.
Monday, December 17 is the latest recommended posting date for mail going to Austria, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain and Switzerland.
Meanwhile the last recommended date for post to Belgium, France, Ireland and Luxembourg is Tuesday, December 18.
A spokesman from the Royal Mail said: “The last posting dates apply to both standard and international services and those which have tracking and signature.
“Customers should also try to post early to help the Royal Mail manage the bumper festive postbag.”
For more information on the last postal dates before Christmas, visit the Royal Mail website.