ROYAL Mail has announced planned changes to deliveries in two Durham postcode areas later this month.

A revised service comes into force in the DH4 and DH5 districts, which covers the Houghton-le-Spring, Hetton-le-Hole and West Rainton areas, on the Durham/Sunderland boundary.

In line with the national move towards single daily deliveries throughout the country, the changes are being introduced on November 17.

First and second deliveries will be amalgamated into a single delivery.

Customers will receive all their day's post by about lunchtime, although most mail should arrive earlier, from 8.30am.

A Royal Mail spokesman said many customers would notice little or no change.

Customers who want their mail earlier in the day will be able to collect their post from the delivery office, from 8.30am, on request.

But they should apply in advance to ensure the security of the mail is protected.

Application forms are available at the delivery office in Scott Street, Houghton-le-Spring, DH4 5EL, or from Royal Mail customer services, on (0845) 602 4536.

Delivery arrangements for business customers will be unaffected.

Royal Mail area general manager Bob Storey said: "Second deliveries account for 20 per cent of Royal Mail's costs, but represent just four per cent of the daily mail bag.

"So, it makes sense to combine first and second deliveries.

"The changes will help to safeguard Royal Mail's six-day-a-week universal service to all 27 million addresses in the UK."

Mr Storey said that the changes affecting DH4 and DH5 addresses should not lead to any compulsory redundancies, although five members of the workforce had agreed to leave voluntarily.