Christmas Day may be several weeks away but deadlines for sending mail abroad are fast approaching - some have already passed, reports the Royal Mail.

The last posting dates for airmail items are:

Friday, December 5 - Australia and New Zealand, South and Central America, Caribbean, Africa, Middle East, Asia and the Far East (except Japan).

Wednesday, December 10 - USA, Canada, Japan and Eastern Europe.

Friday, December 12 - Western Europe.

And for domestic mail, the deadlines are:

Thursday, December 18 – Second Class.

Saturday, December 20 – First Class.

Tuesday, December 23 – Special Delivery.

For further information, visit www.royalmail.com, ring 08457 740 740 or ask at any post office.