A NEW mail pick-up service has been launched which will see postmen and postwomen collect mail as well as deliver it to your doorstep in 'biggest shake-up to the daily delivery service since the launch of the postbox in 1852'.

Royal Mail has launched a parcel pick-up service, called Parcel Collect, across the UK as part of the daily round which will see posties collect mail directly from customers' doors or a nominated safe place.

The service will cost 72p per parcel collected from a customer's front door in addition to postage costs.

As well as offering even higher levels of convenience, the move means that online sellers and online shoppers will no longer need to leave the comfort of their home if they want to mail or return a pre-paid item by post. Parcel Collect is also available for pre-paid return items at a cost of 60p per item.

A spokesman for Royal Mail said: "As well as offering even higher levels of convenience, the move means that online sellers and online shoppers will no longer need to leave the comfort of their home if they want to mail or return a pre-paid item by post.

"This is one of the biggest changes to the daily delivery service since the launch of the postbox in 1852."

The service will be available six days a week and can be booked up to five days in advance and up to midnight the day before. Royal Mail can collect up to five parcels per address.

To use the service, customers need to ensure they have already paid the correct postage to send their item.

The nationwide launch follows an initial roll-out of Parcel Collect in certain postcode areas of West England.

Nick Landon, Chief Commercial Officer at Royal Mail, said: “Royal Mail Parcel Collect is a fantastic step forward for all of our customers.

"It makes it easier to use our services than ever before. Whether you’re up against time and working from home, making a return, selling online or sending a gift to make someone’s day, Royal Mail Parcel Collect is here to help.

"The launch of Parcel Collect is part of our commitment to continuously make our services better and more convenient.”