IF you're sending some festive gifts through the post this year, you'll need to make sure you get things sent off in time.

Royal Mail has announced its recommended latest Christmas posting dates to ensure presents arrive around the globe.

While the advice is to post as early as possible, Royal Mail has listed the dates in order to avoid disappointment on Christmas day.

A spokesperson said: "The first international recommended posting date is for mail to Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Central and South America, the Far East, and the Middle East, which should be sent by Monday, December 9.

"Those wanting to send cards or gifts to Cyprus and Malta, they should post no later than Tuesday, December 10.

"For Eastern Europe (except Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia) cards and gifts should be sent no later than Wednesday, December 11.

"Those wishing to send festive greetings to friends and family in Australia, New Zealand, Greece or Turkey, will need to make sure everything is good to go by Thursday, December 12.

"Letters and parcels to Canada, Czech Republic, Italy, Poland, Finland, Sweden and the USA should be posted no later than Saturday, December 14 to arrive in time for Christmas.

"Festive greetings being sent to Austria, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain and Switzerland, will need to be in the mail by Monday, December 16.

Season’s Greetings going to Belgium, France, Ireland and Luxembourg should be posted by Wednesday, December 18."

The last posting dates apply to both standard international services and those which have tracking and signature.