MAIL bosses were forced to move a post box 200 metres down the road - after a series of unwanted deliveries from local dogs!

The pillar box on Cut Lane, Rishton, had become a favourite stopping-off point for pets on their way to and from a nearby park. But the stench of their doggy deposits was becoming too much for local posties, prompting the Royal Mail to switch it to a grass verge on The Esplanade.

Residents had been baffled when the post box was moved from its convenient street corner site.

Newsagent Mr Les Smalley said the curious transfer of the Rishton box had been a talking point with customers in his High Street shop who had no idea what had prompted the move. But today the Royal Mail cleared up the mystery and blamed pet owners who allowed their dogs go to the toilet against the box. Area collection manager Tony Rigby said: "We had been receiving complaints from postmen and customers about dogs fouling the sides of the post box. We decided to move the box away from the park for health and safety reasons."

Earlier this month the Evening Telegraph received a letter from disgruntled staff at the Canterbury Street office, Blackburn, also complaining about the smell of stale urine when they opened post boxes. But Mr Rigby stated that although complaints would be dealt with seriously this was not a widespread problem.

Mr Smalley added: "No one in Rishton could understand why they had moved the box. It isn't really any inconvenience for us, but we all think it looks ridiculous and sticks out like a sore thumb."

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