Kensington post boxes sealed after postman loses keys

About a dozen post boxes in Kensington, west London, have had to be sealed up after a postman lost a set of keys.

A Royal Mail spokeswoman said the keys for post boxes in the Gloucester Road area went missing a week and a half ago.

The boxes were broken open for any mail to be retrieved, then metal plates were placed in the apertures, she said.

Daniel Moylan, former deputy leader of the council, said councillors wanted the issue sorted as soon as possible.

Royal Mail spokeswoman Sally Hopkins said: "We are working to change the locks and reopen these boxes as quickly as possible.

"The boxes were cleared before they were sealed so no mail was left inside."

She said customers could use other post boxes or the post office in the meantime and that the 11 pillar boxes should be back in use on Tuesday.

Meanwhile a post box in St Peter's Road is proving to be a port in a storm.

Last Autumn, a George V pillar box was removed from the road for health and safety reasons.

Michael Bach, chairman of the Victoria Road Area Residents' Association campaigned to have it reinstated.

Just before Christmas, the Royal Mail replaced it with an Elizabeth II box which means it is unaffected while the keys have been lost for the older models, said Mr Bach.

He added: "Everyone was pleased as punch to have the post box back."