Mail deliveries 'down to once a week' in parts of the Highlands

Councillors say household postal deliveries in many parts of the Highlands have fallen to as little as once a week.

They said Royal Mail provided a vital service but it had become "infrequent" and letters from the NHS, banks and solicitors were arriving late.

The group of nine councillors want Highland Council to raise their concerns with Royal Mail bosses.

The company has been approached for comment. It has previously said it worked to deliver all items within their expected time frames.

In a motion to a meeting of the full council on Thursday, the group said: "Postal household delivery in many parts of Highland is now infrequent, sometimes as little as once per week.

"The consequences can be extremely serious, including missed medical appointments, late correspondence from banks, solicitors, as well as personal letters and cards from family and friends arriving late."

Last month, Royal Mail said it was recruiting to fill 12 vacancies at its Inverness delivery office.

Earlier this month, the Communication Workers Union (CWU) claimed the number of postal staff quitting Royal Mail had gone up since the company introduced a new delivery system earlier this year.

Royal Mail said the reforms were part of its plan to deliver a more "efficient and financially sustainable" service.