A HAPPY couple were left in limbo after having to wait more than two weeks to receive their marriage certificate in the post. 

David Bates, 71, tied the knot on May 19 with Anita, 70, in a lovely ceremony surrounded by family and friends to mark the special occasion.  

After the wedding, the Colchester couple were told their marriage certificate would be posted within seven to ten days. 

But it turned out to take much longer for the certificate to arrive, leading to more problems for the newlyweds.

David said: “This is clearly an issue for our postcode. Two other tenants in our sheltered flats in Ladbrook Drive haven’t had normal mail for three weeks.  

Mail - Royal Mail vansMail - Royal Mail vans (Image: Royal Mail)

“One tenant is waiting for replacement bank cards, which the bank has sent three times. 

“Our marriage certificate is very important to us, as we need it to change names at banks.” 

“Ironically, I’ve posted 'thank you' cards this week and everyone in the Colchester area received them the following day, so some areas are obviously getting a better service.  

“The Royal Mail need to urgently deliver mail to our street, as I suspect there are many items, including possible hospital appointments, which are sitting in the sorting office.” 

Delays - Colchester has been struggling with Royal Mail deliveriesDelays - Colchester has been struggling with Royal Mail deliveries (Image: Steve Brading)

Mr Bates contacted Royal Mail with his concerns.

He was told “the local office are experiencing some resourcing issues which has meant some deliveries have been impacted” but the operator “would still expect more regular deliveries” thanMr Bates had stated. 

The long-awaited marriage certificate finally arrived on June 10, along with other letters, some of which were dated May 16 and May 20. 

A Royal Mail spokesman said: “We apologise for the inconvenience this customer experienced. It is not representative of our usual service. 

"Recent service for some residents in Colchester has been influenced by necessary repairs to delivery vehicles.

"We have a plan in place, with those routes that do not receive their deliveries on the day they expect being prioritised the following day.”