VILLAGERS are facing major delays in deliveries of important post due to Royal Mail workers being off sick with Covid-19 or self-isolating.

Residents of the village of Wheatley, near Oxford, complained of 'severely delayed' services only days after its local delivery office closed.

Some locals revealed that they have not received any post in more than a week at a time when a number of people – especially elderly – are awaiting letters notifying them of vaccination appointments, and others preparing their tax returns.

One villager commented: "Assurances were given by Royal Mail that the closure of the village delivery office would have no impact upon the postal service received by residents.

"However, it has taken only a few days for that to be shown as an empty promise."

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Earlier this week Royal Mail released a list of 28 areas worst affected by employees absences, however, no Oxfordshire postcode was amongst them.

A spokesperson did not address the delays in Wheatley but said: "Across the UK, our people are working hard to deliver as comprehensive a service as possible to all our customers in challenging circumstances.

"Despite our best endeavours, it is possible that some areas of the country may experience a reduction in service levels due to higher volumes of mail during the lockdown.The ongoing impact of Covid-related staff absences and necessary social distancing measures at local mail centres and delivery offices.

"Right from the start, we have played a key role keeping the country connected."

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