Royal Mail responds to claims Harrogate post is ‘a huge mess’ in run-up to Christmas

However, Royal Mail has admitted parcels can be prioritised when volume doubles during the Christmas period and sorting offices become congested.

It said this is because parcels take up more space and, when delivered in large numbers, can “block walkways and create health and safety risks”. 

They added: “In those moments, clearing parcels first is sometimes necessary to keep offices safe and to ensure all mail, including letters, continues to move through the network”.