TRADERS in Malmesbury have reacted with concern over a move to cut back the second post from January 26.

The Royal Mail said it was making the move because the second post accounted for only 3 per cent of deliveries but took up 25 per cent of the costs.

From January 26, houses in Malmesbury will receive just one delivery, which will start at around 9am and go on until 12 noon.

Under the old system the first post began at around 7.30am and the second delivery began at 11am.

The first delivery time of 7.30am for business customers will remain unchanged in the morning but there will be a sweep up service later in the morning if there is post to be delivered.

But there was concern from chairman of the chamber of commerce Alan Woodward the new scheme would hit trade.

He said: "It is a shame it has come to this. Last week a small package of batteries we had ordered from Trowbridge posted first class took three to four days to come.

"Normally I can phone up at 4pm and get next day delivery.

"I can't see how reducing the number of deliveries is going to help when one of my customers has to wait four days to have a battery changed."

Royal Mail spokesman Dan Panes said: "Residential customers may receive their mail a little later but we will be able to deliver more mail at a time."