Families across the UK could be set for Christmas present chaos as the Royal Mail is inundated with millions of packages.

A Royal Mail sorting office in Bristol has been pictured flooded with parcels, as union bosses name the situation a ‘strategic nightmare’.

Another photo shows boxes stacked up outside a sorting office as some businesses complain parcels are taking up to a month to arrive.

It comes as millions across the country turn to online shopping over the festive season amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The Communication Workers Union, which posted the pictures to Twitter said: ‘Our members in Royal Mail are facing unprecedented workloads. They are doing absolutely everything they can to keep the country connected.

‘Pandemic + Christmas + record traffic. Serving the public is engrained in postal workers. Show them some love.’

Ian Trehearne, branch secretary for Gloucestershire, told The Telegraph sorting offices have been ‘flooded’ and ‘under the cosh’ since April.

Meanwhile, Terry Pullinger, of the Communication Workers Union, told the BBC: ‘We could not possibly have anticipated this level of packets and parcels, it seems to be intensifying every day.

‘That coupled with the arrangements that are going to be in place to keep key workers safe because of Covid, and the rising spread of Covid, is complicating what is already a strategic nightmare.’

The high demand is said to have left some business owners concerned Christmas deliveries won’t arrive by December 25.

One business owner has claimed they have received ‘threatening’ messages from angry customers who haven’t received their orders.

The Royal Mail has employed around 33,000 temporary workers to help cope with the high demand. The company has also opened two extra temporary sorting centres.

A Government source has reportedly admitted ministers are ‘concerned’ about the situation. They cannot intervene though as the Royal Mail is a private company.  

It comes as queues of lorries – many containing Christmas presents and food – stretch for 20 miles on both sides of the Channel, amid chaos at Britain’s container ports. 

Many supermarket customers have also said they are unable to find delivery slots until after Christmas amid high demand.

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: ‘We continue to focus on delivering all Christmas mail as quickly and as reliably as we can. 

‘We anticipate we will deliver more UK parcels in these three and a half weeks than some of our competitors typically handle in an entire year. 

‘We are very sorry if any of our customers have experienced an extended delivery time. 

‘Our amazing postmen and postwomen, who have kept the UK connected throughout the pandemic and two lockdowns, are now doing everything that’s needed to get mail to customers ahead of Christmas. 

‘We always endeavour to keep our customers as informed as we can of any changes to our services. We have a dedicated section on our website.’

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