Its like a butcher running out of turkeys

National Federation of Sub-postmasters

A Federation spokesman said something must have gone badly wrong for Royal Mail to run out of the festive stamps many days before the last posting day for second class post of 19 December.

He said many members were angry at losing business as customers went elsewhere in search of the stamps.

Whatever happened Royal Mail had better get it right next year, he said.

A spokesman for Consignia said the 315 million second class stamps had been snapped up already by outlets.

"Technically our stock has run out but that is a normal occurrence with Christmas stamps."

Last posting day

But he said they had 50,000 retail outlets that had all placed their orders and received their stamps.

"If one retail outlet does run out then it is very likely the next one along will still have some," he said.

And he said he was confident if customers went to post offices by 19 December - the last day for second class Christmas post - stamps would be available.

"And of course, there is no problem at all with the availability of normal second-class stamps."