Edinburgh South MP Ian Murray got first hand insight into what is involved in delivering the mail when he joined local postman Michael Lunn on his delivery round in South Edinburgh this morning.

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The Shadow Business Minister for Postal Affairs was the first of a number of local MPs being invited to go out with postmen and women across Scotland to see the lengths Royal Mail goes to, to deliver the post.

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The purpose of the visits over the summer is to give MPs a unique insight into the challenges of delivering mail to every house and business in their constituency, six days a week.

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Julie Pirone, Director of Communications Scotland, who briefed Ian before he set off on his walk, said:•”We’re delighted that Mr Murray is taking the time to experience the every day challenges faced by our delivery postmen and women.

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“The visit gave us the opportunity to show Mr Murray how we are modernising the organisation. We’ve invested some £59 million pounds in Scotland to date in new sorting and delivery equipment as we respond to the changing nature of the modern postbag. We are delivering more parcels and fewer letters than ever before and the tools for the job need to reflect that.”

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Ian said: “Postmen and women perform an incredibly important function in our communities, not just delivering communication, but being one of the institutions in society that binds us together for the common good.”

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“I wanted to get a real understanding of the work that goes into delivering the mail on a daily basis. There can be no better way of getting that insight than actually going out and doing the job alongside a delivery postman. I was pleased to join• local postman Michael Lunn ••who’s been delivering the mail to customers in South Edinburgh for 14 years. It is a service that is loved my millions and one which we should do everything to preserve.”

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Royal Mail is currently reviewing and modernising its operation, which means every part of the process from collecting, transporting, sorting and delivering the mail is being improved to increase efficiency.

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