The Royal Mail is to launch trials of "delivery patterns" that will lead to post arriving later and the end of second deliveries.

The changes, to be tested in 14 areas of the UK, will mean a single delivery arriving by lunchtime.

Forum Response: Communication Workers Union

Dave Ward, national officer of the Communication Workers Union, told ePolitix.com: "We have agreed to pilot a number of options across the country.

"But while the business may be looking for an opportunity to save money, we want to establish exactly what the public wants from the mail service it owns. As a public service, we have a two-point plan for Royal Mail. It is one, find out what the public wants and two, give it to them. The public should be offered no less from a business it owns."