Royal Mail says it has found a solution for its customers who have parcels to send but can't face the queues in their local post office.

The firm's new "Parcel Collect" service will operate six days a week and you'll be able to send up to five parcels at a time.

Your local postman or postwoman will either collect your parcels from your front door or a designated safe space and the service will be part of their daily round.

To use the service you have to book online (www.royalmail.com/bookcollection or via their app) - this can be done from five days in advance up to midnight the day before collection.

Customers will have to make sure their postage is paid for, print their own labels and then pay for the service online.

The charge for using the service is 72p per parcel, in addition to postage costs. Parcel Collect is also available for pre-paid return items at a cost of 60p per item.