Online postage payment and label printing launched

A home collection service that coincides with daily delivery routes has also been launched

A new service that allows people to pay for and print postage labels via the Isle of Man Post Office has been launched.

The service is paired with a home collection service that coincides with daily delivery rounds across the island.

Postal staff collecting parcels will also be able to print off the labels for those who do not have access to a home printer.

A spokesman for the post office said the move was part of its "commitment to evolving with customer needs" and keep in line with "global postal trends".

The organisation said under the new system postage for a letter or parcel could be paid for via any device with internet access.

The launch will also be paired with an increase in the number of larger post boxes that can accommodate bigger parcels.

'Customer research'

The new service follows a decline in use of traditional counter services at the island's sub-post office network in recent years.

It also comes after the relocation of several facilities into other businesses after the closure of dedicated sub-post offices.

Post office chief executive Simon Kneen said the organisation would provide customers with "choice and convenience when it comes to managing their postage needs in a sustainable way".

"The solution positively responds to customer research, which evidenced high levels of customer demand for this new service option, whilst progressing our innovative customer focused strategy," he added.

As well as the home collection service, which the post office said would be free "for an introductory period", items using the new payment system can still be passed on for transit through sub-post offices, dedicated parcel collection points and traditional post boxes.