Christmas cheer was spread around the post office in Ilford as MP Mike Gapes met busy Royal Mail staff.

Mr Gapes was given a tour of the Chadwick Road delivery centre in Ilford last week to give encouragement to workers in the run-up to Christmas.

“Postmen and women do such an important job at this time of year. I would like to thank them for their efforts and wish them all the best over the busy festive period,” said the Labour MP for Ilford South.

Danny Ainsworth, Royal Mail’s delivery office manager for Ilford, showed the MP around the office.

He said: “Our people do a fantastic job at this time of year to ensure that friends and families stay in touch.”