ON my return from a hospital appointment recently, a note on my doormat from Royal Mail stated a parcel too big for the letterbox could not be delivered.

I contacted the national Royal Mail office by email, as invited, and arranged a re-delivery two days later, when I would be at home.

That day came and went with no parcel evident. My wife enquired at my local Post Office and was told that it could be delivered later. That did not happen. I tried to ring the Stockton Delivery Office but the call was not answered.

Finally my busy wife drove to that office on a Sunday morning and was told that the parcel could not be delivered as it bore no postcode. She was then grudgingly given the parcel which showed our full address, albeit without a postcode.

I appreciate that with automation, postcodes are essential to efficient handling of items. But it is not unknown for them to be delivered without one.

However, Royal Mail must be mindful of the stiff competition it now faces from private carriers; it cannot afford to take a high-handed attitude with its customers.

Ian Gravestock, Yarm