Is there anything more annoying than arriving home to find one of those 'Sorry, you were out' cards posted through the letter box because the postman had tried to deliver something that required a signature.

While it may be annoying at least you know the item of post has been return to the safety of the sorting office however that may not be the case for much longer.

A friend of mine arrived home a few days ago to find a leaflet posted thought their letter box saying that from late September the postmen in the Wycombe area will start leaving items that will not fit through the letter box and signed for post with neighbours.

Special delivery post will continue to be delivered only to the intended recipient and will still be returned to the sorting office if nobody is in to give a signature.

Of course if a neighbour isn't in then you may find their post delivered to your home instead.

Will the postman put a card through your letter box to say a package has been left with a neighbour or will you just have to hope your neighbour is honest enough to bring it round?

Quite honestly I don't think it right if post ends up with neighbours.

Years ago it may have been acceptable but these days there are too many rented out houses with fly by night occupants who may be light fingered and I fear important post will end up being lost.

Apparently it will be possible to opt out of the scheme by displaying a special sticker in a prominent position on your house.

For more details on the opt-out and to obtain the sticker simply visit http://www.royalmail.com/out or you can register your details here .

I would far prefer it if the Post Office sent me a newfangled e-mail or textual message on my portable phone so I knew when a delivery was likely to take place then at least I could make provision in advance of the postman visiting.

As regular readers know my home is extremely large and has several substantial outbuildings.

On many occasions the postman and other delivery people have tried to deliver leaflets to the south pavilion situated in the grounds of my home thinking it to be a house in its own right.

So will I need to register the south pavilion on the opt-out scheme too?

Quite why the postman can't leave large items of post in my potting shed and lock the padlock on the door behind him I do not know as it would seem far more sensible than taking valuable packages to another address in the hope the occupants deliver it.

What is the postal service coming to?

What do you think?


*Don't forget to read my regular column in this Friday's edition of the printed version of the Bucks Free Press!