DECEMBER is here and some of you — remembering past Christmas anguish — might be dreading finding those “Sorry, you were out” messages from the postman.

Last year, in particular, there was genuine anger when residents directed to the Royal Mail’s Bolton North Delivery Office in Calvin Street faced long delays when they attempted to pick up parcels and packets.

It was obvious to many that the system did not work efficiently and there was an avalanche of complaints.

But could it be that things will be better this year?

We went to Calvin Street last week to claim a parcel and found that two portable cabins had been introduced recently — creating three separate access points for different Bolton postcodes.

Our parcel was found immediately, the chap dealing with us was extremely pleasant and we had no cause for complaint.

Hopefully, others will be able to say the same when the rush starts nearer Christmas.

It does look as though the Royal Mail has responded to all the justifiable criticism, but the fact remains that Calvin Street is inconvenient for people who do not have cars and is in need of better sign-posting for those who do.

Still, they have promised that they will be making additional evening deliveries and Sunday re-deliveries too — “to give us a better chance of getting your item to you when you are in”.

Let’s hope it works.