Royal Mail is launching festive postboxes to encourage people to send Christmas cards and parcels early.

Four postboxes, three for letters and cards and one for parcels, have been decorated as wrapped Christmas presents.

They will be also be “digitally activated”, so customers can scan a QR code on the boxes and watch a short festive message from Father Christmas.

The four boxes are located in Brighton, Wrexham, Aberdeen and Bangor in Northern Ireland, and will be in place throughout December from Monday.

Mark Street, head of campaigns at Royal Mail, said: “As always, delivering Christmas is our absolute priority, particularly at the end of what has been a challenging year for many of us.

“In the process, we are thrilled to bring some of our special Christmas postboxes to more cities around the UK to help spread a little bit of festive cheer.”

Last UK posting dates are December 18 for 2nd class mail and December 21 for 1st class.

For Special Delivery, it is December 23.

Royal Mail is also supporting the Let’s Talk Loneliness campaign, which will be providing practical help for those experiencing loneliness this Christmas.