Sorting has been extended to Sundays and new employees are trained and ready to go.

Post mistress Charie Metcalf reported a jump in outgoing mail on Monday and expected overall volume to soar this week.

“We have an extra truck in the afternoons and on Friday and Saturday nights,” she said.

“We may even do a Sunday delivery before Christmas.”

Mrs Metcalf said some of her more unusual parcels this year included a full set of car tyres, a cot mattress and several queen bees.