HAS your letters and parcels been arriving late in the post? Well, we might know the reason why...

After a brief encounter of the postie kind when we bumped into our local postal worker, they revealed that times are tough at the sorting office, with skyrocketing absences and people leaving the profession and not being replaced.

It's all led to a lack of posties and delays in getting mail out.

Now, Royal Mail has released a statement on the situation and apologised for the current condition of the service.

A spokesperson said the service is being hit, particularly in the area of staff numbers.

When asked whether posties are struggling in the Vale, the spokesperson said: "Yes, the local service is experiencing lower staff numbers, this is due to vacancies and sick absence.

"This has caused some delays.

"We are working to alleviate the issue which includes additional recruitment at the delivery office."

Barry And District News: Royal Mail office in BarryRoyal Mail office in Barry (Image: Google Maps)

Royal Mail said that they are working as hard as they can to get people's mail out on time.

The spokesperson continued: "Anyone who experiences a delay on the day they expect mail to be delivered will be prioritised the following day.

"We apologise to anyone who experiences this and would reassure customers that every day we’re working to ensure their mail is delivered on time."

Has your post been arriving late? What's your local postal worker saying about the situation? Postal workers, what's it like working for the Royal Mail at the moment? Let us know in comments or email harry.jamshidian@newsquest.co.uk.