KINGTON residents were left shocked last week after one of the town's post boxes was out of use due to asbestos contamination.

A spokesman for Royal Mail said: “This postbox is currently closed for safety reasons and we apologise to customers for any inconvenience this may cause.

"We are working with the Post Office to reopen the box as soon as it is safe to do so. In the meantime, customers can hand mail in at the Post Office or the nearest alternative postboxes are in Victoria Road or in Kingswood Road near the Texaco garage, both within 500 metres of the Post Office.”