'Determined' snails eating villagers' mail

Snails in a postbox have been eating the glue on envelopes

"Determined" snails have taken up residence in a postbox in Devon and have been nibbling the mail inside.

A sign from Royal Mail said the molluscs were being removed daily in Lewdown but continued to get in.

The snails are "eating the glue that holds an envelope in shape", it read.

Royal Mail has been approached for comment.

Residents in Lewdown have been warned about the invaders

Nibble marks

The sign has been on the postbox for at least four months, according to a Google Maps photo taken in July.

The message taped to it said: "Whilst you are very welcome to continue using this postbox, we wanted to mention that your letter may not arrive without some nibble marks around the edges."

According to one villager, who did not want to be named, the overhanging vegetation on the wall encouraged the snails to invade. The problem had persisted for at least a year and had not been discussed by the parish council, they said.

Residents can post their mail at the village post office, which has not yet been visited by snails.

In Cornwall, residents of Marazion recently found their postboxes had been sealed off to keep invaders out.

Vegetation around the postbox has given the snails a route in, said one villager