Postal deliveries in mid Wales are among the worst in the UK according to new statistics published by the Royal Mail.

One in ten first class letters are not delivered next day in the SY postcode area which has the worst performance of any Welsh region.

This area covers Aberystwyth, Llanidloes, Welshpool, Newtown, Montgomery and Shrewsbury.

We've had to tell suppliers that the cheque was in the post Michael Neave, Actia UK

This is the second time in six months the area has appeared in the list of the 20 worst performing postcode areas.

Assurances

Eifion Pritchard, chairman of Postwatch Wales said the poor service levels in the SY postcode area gave the postal watchdog cause for concern.

"First class deliveries in this area were below minimum target levels when we looked at them earlier this year," he added.

"At the time we received assurances from Royal Mail that remedial action was being taken to put the issue right."

Mr Pritchard has now asked for a meeting with senior Royal mail management to try to resolve the issue.

Meanwhile the group representing 180 companies throughout mid Wales said it had not received complaints in recent months.

The record is based on the number of first class items delivered the next day

However, the chairman of the Mid Wales Manufacturing Group, Michael Neave of Newtown-based automotive electronics firm Actia UK, said: "In the past we have had mail with payments for suppliers going missing," he added.

"We've had to tell suppliers that the cheque was in the post.

"We've then had to cancel the cheques only to see them turn up later at the suppliers."

Matthew Lanham, Royal Mail Area General Manager for mid Wales said that the company was working hard to improve the service.

Worst areas 1. SW London 2. Chelmsford 3. Warrington 4. Wolverhampton 5. Dudley 6.West London 7. Stoke-on-Trent 8. Mid Wales and Shrewsbury 13. Swansea

"While the figures are not satisfactory they are a slight improvement on the last quarter and we are still delivering nine out of 10 first class letters the next day."

Between April and June this year 87.9 per cent of mail was delivered the next day in the mid Wales area compared to 90.2 per cent for the three month period ending in September."