'We've had no post to our homes for 18 weeks'

Kevin Foster said he had been waiting weeks for a new bank card to arrive

Angry residents in parts of Lancashire have told of their frustration after being left with sporadic or completely non-existent postal deliveries for up to 18 months,

Kevin Foster in among people in Earby and Barnoldswick who have been affected, and said he had been waiting for a new bank card to arrive since early September.

He said: "The only post I've received is somebody posted my British Gas bill through the door, with a little note written that said 'sorry we opened this by mistake'. It was delivered to the wrong address."

Royal Mail blamed "recent resourcing challenges" at Barnoldswick delivery office for the delays.

Local councillor David Whipp said: "We have instances where people are awaiting cancer diagnoses and they haven't received their appointment letters through until after the event."

Councillor David Whipp said it took about six months to be granted a meeting with Royal Mail

Whipp, who represents Earby and Coates on Pendle Borough Council said: "It really is pretty dire. Residents are suffering badly as a consequence of these inadequacies."

He said he believed the issue was due to staff shortages at the local delivery office.

"The problem is, when somebody's off, through either holiday or sickness, they don't have the staff to replace them", he said.

Mr Foster continued: "Some people in the village have had a bulk delivery, with two or three weeks of mail delivered in one go, but obviously I haven't had that, I've had no mail whatsoever."

He said he had now had to order a new card after it became too late to register the first - but still has not received either the original bank card or its replacement.

Barnoldswick delivery office is believed to be suffering staff shortages

Whipp said he had requested a meeting with Royal Mail senior managers who told him they "promised they would sort out the situation".

"That's probably six months ago now," he said.

"I would say that we've been in this predicament for twelve to eighteen months."

Under the Universal Service Obligation, Royal Mail has an obligation to deliver post in a timely manner and the council has made formal complaints.

"Quite frankly that doesn't seem to make a jot of difference but we will continue to try", Whipp added.

In a statement, Royal Mail said: "Recent resourcing challenges at Barnoldswick delivery office have had an impact on deliveries in the local area. Staff from neighbouring offices are assisting with deliveries and the office is clear of mail as of today."

It added that the arrival of new staff in the coming weeks "will restore our service to its usual high standards".