As posties prepared for a last-minute rush of seasonal cards, the Royal Mail enlisted an EastEnder to help remind people to get their Christmas messages out on time.

Lacey Turner posed at a traditional red pillar box before the December 18 and December 21 recommended deadlines for second and first-class Yuletide deliveries.

The actress, who plays Stacey Branning in the long-running soap, posted her own cards, adding to the workload of postmen and women who are expected to deliver around two billion items during the festive period.

Research by the Royal Mail found that one in 10 people risk upsetting a friend or relative this Christmas by making mistakes with the postcode.

Others simply forget to post in time.

The EastEnders star said: There’s nothing quite like sending a Christmas card to let people know you are thinking of them, even if you haven’t been in touch for a while.

“I know postmen and women have millions of cards to deliver, so I’ve posted mine early to help them get there in time.”