Changes are being made to the way post is delivered in Helston and parts of the Lizard Peninsula.

There will be new delivery routes, which could mean people receiving their post later than now - or in some cases earlier.

One of the main differences will see extra vans being used. Postmen and women will drive the mail to central points in the different delivery areas and then continue deliver it by hand from the van, to prevent them carrying such heavy and bulky loads from the post office at the start of the day.

Part of the reason for the changes has been the increase in mail order shopping, which has resulted in far more parcels and packages.

Monday marked the first day of the changes, which are being phased in over the next two weeks.

A spokesperson for Royal Mail said: “The way in which we communicate with each other has changed dramatically. Unfortunately, fewer letters are now posted every day and Royal Mail needs to organise its delivery routes to be as efficient as possible.

“We also deliver an increasing number of larger items and so we are investing in new equipment to carry these items to customers even more securely.

“The new equipment also reduces the risk of injury to our postmen and women from carrying heavier mail bags.”

Postmen and women will continue to deliver in the morning and households should have received their post by 3pm in the town and by 4pm to farms and rural areas.

The time customers receive mail will depend on where they live on the new delivery route and in some cases the person delivering the post may alter.

The changes will affect people living in TR12 areas where the second part of the postcode starts with a 6 or 7, as well as TR13 areas beginning with 0, 8 and 9.

Customers with these postcodes will be receiving letters from Royal Mail explaining the changes.

Royal Mail said they were necessary to “modernise” the way the company worked and to “keep prices as low as possible.”

Customers have been asked for “understanding” while staff got used to the changes.

Mick O'Brien, Royal Mail's collection and delivery sector manager, said: “We are proud of the high regard in which our postmen and women are held in Helston. The changes to delivery routes will mean that a member of our local and experienced team will still be delivering to our customers in Helston.

“The local delivery team and I are fully committed to providing a high quality of service that is as reliable and friendly as customers have come to expect from Royal Mail in Helston over many years.”