Royal Mail bosses say postal services are getting better in Essex - but admit they're still not first class.

The number of first class letters posted in the Colchester CO postcode area and arriving the next day has climbed above 90 per cent.

Deliveries in the Chelmsford CM area also improved, rising to more than 89 per cent. Both were in the 220 most improved areas in the country.

But only one area in the East of England managed to hit the 92.5 per cent target.

Industry watchdog Postwatch slammed performances. It said the Royal Mail had fallen at the first hurdle and failed all 15 targets.

The Royal Mail announced a major shake-up in the spring. Chiefs claim they are now seeing the knock-on effect.

The eastern region's director of operations, Roger Baynes, said: "There is now real evidence the service is getting better."

Published Tuesday, August 31, 2004

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