CUSTOMERS have spoken of their anger at Royal Mail's decision to run a part-time parcel collection service in Harrogate.

They are also angry that the company has introduced a 50p service charge to collect undelivered parcels at local post offices.

Under the old system, the office in Claro Road opened from 7am to 6pm Mondays to Fridays and until 1pm on Saturdays.

Now its hours have been cut from 7am to 12.30pm Monday to Saturday.

Residents are also angry that undelivered parcels have been announced on cards still giving details of the old opening hours.

A mother-of-two who travelled to the collection office in her lunch break yesterday, only to find the office shut, said: "I think customers are being treated shabbily.

"It's bad enough that the hours have gone part-time. But to get a card through your letterbox giving the old times is just too bad."

A Royal Mail spokesman said the shorter hours were part of a range of efficiency measures.