DOZENS of new parcel postboxes have been unveiled in Cumbria.

Royal Mail say the country’s first ever postboxes of their kind have been installed in the BB, CA, DG, FY, LA and PR postcodes.

The move follows an announcement earlier in the year by the mail postal service that nearly 1,400 existing meter boxes across the UK would be converted to securely accept parcels posted in the same way as letters.

It also comes after a trial of the boxes in 2018.

The launch represents the first major change of use for the postbox since it was introduced 160 years ago.

The start of parcel postboxes is also one of the biggest innovations in parcels since the launch of Parcel Post in 1883.

The change means small businesses and marketplace sellers can post pre-paid parcels - purchased online beforehand - through securely designed parcel postboxes, in the same way that they currently post a letter.

Customers will also be able to post some return parcels at any time, seven days a week.

Mark Street, head of campaigns at Royal Mail said: “The introduction of the first parcel postboxes in Cumbria means that customers can now send parcels with pre-paid postage and their returns in the same way that they do letters.

“The new parcel postboxes provide added flexibility to online sellers who might be running a business in their spare time and not keeping regular office hours.”