Elderly and vulnerable people who have to leave their flat entrance doors open so post can be dropped off fear late deliveries could put them at risk.

The second delivery service has been scrapped and replaced with single, larger rounds in north, south and west Oxford.

Royal Mail said the second delivery accounted for only four per cent of the post handled, but 20 per cent of the organisation's costs.

But north Oxford city and county councillor Jean Fooks said residents living in apartment blocks had contacted her with concerns about security issues.

The residents have to leave access doors -- for tradesmen and postmen -- open until deliveries are made.

Mrs Fooks said they were worried about having to leave doors open for longer periods. Deliveries could arrive as late as noon.

Royal Mail spokesman Jane Beese said the company had written to all residents in advance of the change.

Mrs Fooks said: "In many blocks of flats, there are trade buttons which can be activated between certain hours to let tradesmen, including posties, into the building.

"If the time of the deliveries is going to be up in the air, the button may have to be set for half the day which will leave some people, especially elderly or vulnerable people, at risk from thieves and conmen."

Brenda Williams, 68, who lives in a flat in north Oxford, said before the change came into force, the door was left unlocked between 7am and about 10.30am.

She said: "Post has been arriving later and later. Even before this change came in we weren't getting deliveries until about 10.30am.

"We have had to leave the door open because the postman could come at any time.

"It's worrying when you hear something outside your door because you don't know what it might be."

Ms Beese said: "If residents are concerned, we would ask them to contact us and we would address their worries.

"It might be that we are able to arrange for the doors to be opened later in the morning."

Tell us what you think.