STAFF at Bury's town centre post office have been busy this week explaining to customers new regulations surrounding charges for sending mail.

A new post pricing system, based on size and weight of letters and packages, came into force on Monday.

But the Royal Mail claims it has estimated that more than 80 per cent of mail will cost the same or less to send. Mail now falls into three main formats, embracing letter, large letter and packet, which involves a new pricing system.

Everyone sending mail must check the size and weight of letters to ensure that they have attached the relevant stamps. In Bury, many people unsure about the new system have been seeking guidance from staff at the town centre post office on The Rock.

Manager Mr Salim Mitha said: "We've had a lot of people who have come to us for advice since Monday.

"Many have picked up information leaflets about the new changes.

"The majority of those who have come into the post office have asked us to weigh and check the size of their letters and we have put the stamps on for them. I'm certain that this will continue to happen until people get used to it, probably in a week or two."

He added: "It is going well. As far as members of the public are concerned, we haven't received any complaints about the new system."

The Royal Mail has given various examples of the new pricing structure: To send a standard birthday card, 24cm x 16.5cm with depth up to 0.5 cm and weighing up to 60g, will cost 32p for a first class stamp.

To send a DVD, 19cm x 14cm x 1.5cm, weighing 100g, first class post will cost 49p.

To send a poster 30cm by 38cm, rolled up in a cardboard tube weighing 300g, first class post will cost £1.14.

To send a hardback book, 20cm by 13.5cm x 6cm, weighing 723g, will cost £2.89 first class.