MAJOR problems with the new system of transporting long distance post by road between London and the North West have led to a call at Westminster for the Royal Mail to return to the rails.

East Lancashire MP Peter Pike described the current situation with lorryloads of letters and parcels as "absolute chaos."

He said some months after the switch from mail trains to road transport, post between his House of Commons office and his constituency office in Burnley was taking days to get there -- even when he paid to use special delivery.

He has now put down a Commons Motion calling for a rethink.

Mr Pike said: "I've had a lot of problems since the switch. Quite simply the road transportation is not working and they should get the mail trains back on the rails as soon as possible."