THE deadline is fast approaching for people wanting to send their Christmas mail abroad.

Swindon Royal Mail Centre in Rowland Hill Close, Dorcan, is warning people to post their parcels as soon as possible to ensure delivery.

And yesterday, to help get the message across, two postmen from the Royal Mail Centre dressed as Canadian Mounties.

The Mounties better known as Roman Cichosz and Graham Prentice are normally found sorting through the mail, but decided to wear the distinctive garb of those law-enforcing officers from The Rockies as an eye catching reminder.

Joe Simpson, a Royal Mail spokesman, explained: "This is very eye-catching, and not standard procedure, but it will help to remind to customers not to forget their overseas friends and relatives at Christmas, and to enforce that the closing dates are fast approaching.

"We are urging people to send their post as soon as possible because Christmas time is a particularly busy time of year.

"To avoid family disappointment, people are being advised of these deadline dates because Royal Mail can quickly become inundated with huge backlog of post, and there just isn't the time to sort through it all."

Last recommended dates for international airmail are: December 7 outside Europe; December 10 Eastern Europe; December 14 Western Europe and HM Forces.

UK delivery recommended dates are: December 18 Second class UK delivery; December 21 First class UK delivery.

More information is available from Royal Mail International Christmas leaflets available at Post Offices branches, Royal Mail Enquiry Offices or by phoning the Customer Service Centre on 08457 740 740.

www.royalmail.com