Royal Mail’s latest independent performance report shows postmen and women are continuing to deliver target-beating service to customers.

From April to the beginning of December 2006, stamped First Class mail beat its 93.0% target with 94.1% arriving the next working day, while Second Class mail also beat its 98.5% target, with a 99.0% performance over the same period.

Tom Melvin, Operations Director of Royal Mail’s Letters business, said: "Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our postmen and women, Royal Mail is delivering target-beating performance at some of the lowest postage prices in Europe - giving customers great value.

"In a fully competitive market, providing a consistent high quality service and unbeatable value is vital to enable Royal Mail to keep customers and win new business - and that’s what we’re determined to do."

Mail services used by larger businesses also exceeded their targets during the first three quarters of the 2006-07 financial year. These included Royal Mail’s Mailsort bulk business mail services, Printed Postage Impression (PPI) items, and the Presstream service for magazine mailings.

Royal Mail’s Standard Parcel service recorded a performance of 94.6% between April and the beginning of December 2006 - well above its 90.0% target. Special Delivery met its 99.0% target over the same period.