Last post dates for Christmas are looming for those sending gifts and cards to friends and family abroad.

The Royal Mail says presents for Australia or New Zealand must be in the post by next Monday.

The same deadline applies to parcels bound for South and Central America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, the Far East, Japan and Asia.

People sending gifts to America Canada and Eastern Europe must post them by December 9 and Western Europe by December 12.

More information is available at royalmail.com