POST Offices throughout the region will open as normal on Saturday, December 20 and on Christmas Eve opening hours are 9am-4pm.

Offices will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day but will open as normal on Saturday, December 27.

New Year's Eve hours are 9am-4pm but offices will be closed on New year's day.

Benefit payments due on December 25 and 26 can be collected from December 19 and those due on New Year's Day can be collected from December 29.

Pensions and allowances paid by card account can be paid one working day before the due date. Weekly child benefit payments due on days when offices are closed may be claimed one working day before the due date.

Last posting dates for the UK are second class, December 18 and first class, December 20.

There will only be one delivery on Tuesday, December 23 and Christmas Eve and post boxes will be emptied at noon. There are no deliveries or collections December 25-29.