A TOTAL of 140 dog attacks took place on Lancashire's postmen and women in just 12 months.

Royal Mail is campaigning for owners to keep dogs under control and has issued high-pitch sonic alarms to their staff so they can fend off dog attacks.

Last year the highest number of attacks, 36, took place in the BL postcode with 34 attacks in the PR postcode.

Attacks in the BB postcode area were third highest with 30 in total recorded, while dog attacks in the WN and FY postcodes were lowest with 21 and 19 recorded over a year.

Figures taken between April and June this year show the trend is to be repeated with 19 attacks in the BL postcode, 14 for PR postcode area, 11 attacks in BB postcodes and just nine and six for FY and WN postcodes.

The company says it is a particular problem during school holidays when dogs are allowed to roam front gardens.

Royal Mail will send letters to homeowners where dogs are unruly – and in serious cases, inform the dog warden and police.

They have released tips for dog owners which include keeping the dogs indoors at delivery times, closing off access from the back garden or fitting a secure mailbox on the edge of the property.