Royal Mail has announced a new trial with Post Office that will see the two businesses introduce 24/7 parcel lockers at Post Office branches across the UK.

The six-month trial will see parcel lockers installed outside stores, meaning customers can access them, including outside of branch opening hours.

Royal Mail lockers are another way to send, collect and return parcels.

If you don’t have access to a printer at home, the lockers are able to print labels for parcels.

To use this option, you’ll need to pay for postage online and get a QR code or request a QR code if you are returning a parcel.

Royal Mail now has over 24,000 locations where customers can drop off and collect parcels, including 2,400 lockers, 11,500 Post Office branches, almost 8,000 Royal Mail Shop outlets, 1,200 Royal Mail Customer Service Points and 1,400 parcel postboxes.

Anna Malley, Director of Partnerships and Acquisitions at Royal Mail, said: “Post Office is one of Royal Mail’s most important partners, and this is an exciting step forward in how we work together.

“The trial reflects our commitment to meeting a wide range of customer needs whilst also maintaining existing options. It’s about making life easier for our customers by giving them a choice that suits their individual preferences.”

Neill O’Sullivan, Mails and Parcels Director at Post Office, said:“We are delighted that after a 370-year partnership with Royal Mail, we continue to innovate and ensure parcel services meet the needs of customers who want the flexibility of using a locker for their parcel collection and delivery.

“We will evaluate this trial, and in particular the benefits it has brought to our postmasters and look forward to working with Royal Mail over the next few months on this trial.”