POSTAL deliveries in Newport missed targets set by the Royal Mail last year - but figures released today show more first class mail is now arriving on time.

Statistics released by Royal Mail for Newport, Cardiff and Swansea show that about four in every five households and businesses in Wales had a below-standard service for first class mail last year.

Newport had the worst record where only 89.7 per cent was received on time - a similar amount to the previous year. However, the figures for the first quarter of this year show a big improvement with 94.5 per cent arriving the next working day.

Royal Mail said that in the first quarter of this year only Cardiff missed the 92.5 per cent target for first class mail.

Eifion Pritchard, chairman of Postwatch Wales, said: "Royal Mail's service is showing signs of improvement, and Postwatch welcomes efforts to drive up the quality of service customers receive.

"There remain, however, many area throughout Wales, notably Cardiff, Swansea and Newport, where the first class post service remains unacceptably poor and needs to improve."

Royal Mail praised its delivery staff for the improved service and predicted it would get even better.

"Postmen and women have worked exceptionally hard to deliver a better service," said a spokesman.