Villagers living near Norwich have said they have missed out on hospital appointments and medication and that local businesses are suffering - because their post is arriving weeks late.

People living in the village of Poringland have claimed that since July their postal service has become more inconsistent and is often arriving late.

The Royal Mail has apologised for "occasional" delays, which is reportedly due to staff numbers in the area being cut from six to five.

The village has also undergone significant expansion in recent years, with many new homes in the area.

Eastern Daily Press:

Locals have told the BBC the disruption is impacting on lives and local businesses.

Helen Franklin, 63, said the delays had caused her elderly father to miss a hospital appointment because a notification had arrived after it was due to be held.

She also said medication she had ordered on September 1 had still not arrived three weeks later - and that the Royal Mail had told her delays were due to "restructuring the service".

Sally Green, 40, who runs an online jewellery business in the village called Sweethearts and Darlings, said the delays were affecting her business.

She said: "I'm having to order stock way in advance and hope it will eventually arrive.

"As a business that posts every day, I'm finding lots of areas in the UK where customers are just not receiving their items within the estimated delivery time that Royal Mail websites are giving.

"I'm left with many disgruntled customers who blame me for the delay."

A Royal Mail spokesman said: "Improving our level of service is our top priority and we are committed to restoring our service levels to where our customers expect them to be.

"While on occasion there are delays, mail is being delivered daily across Norfolk."

A Royal Mail worker, who wished to remain anonymous, said rounds affecting other villages including Alpington and Yelverton were also being compressed.