It’s been over 160 years since the brightly-hued postboxes found across the UK have looked any different.

But now, in a bid to make everyone’s lives easier the Royal Mail has created a new design to allow us all to post parcels – yes, PARCELS – without going to the post office.

In short, this means no more waiting in line during your lunch break to return the dress you really couldn’t afford. And no more trying to fit in a quick dash to the post office on a Saturday morning to beat the (inevitable) long wait.

Currently, the boxes are only being trialled in the Midlands. 30 boxes have been installed – 13 in Leicester and 17 in Northampton.

The fresh new look (don’t worry, they’re still a traditional bright red) is being trialled from now until 5 November 2018. But instead of the simple rectangular-shaped letterbox there is a pull-down drop-box instead. 

But before posting your parcel, make sure you have the correct stamp on it, which you can buy and print off online.

“The trial is aimed at giving more flexibility to online sellers who might be running a business in their spare time and not keeping regular office hours,” a spokesperson for Royal Mail Parcels said.

Royal Mail has found that 47% of shoppers would be unlikely to shop with a retailer again if they were charged for returns.

If the trial is successful then the boxes could be rolled out across the whole of the UK. The current boxes will remain with the new ones positioned beside them.

You can buy and print off a postage stamp for your parcel here. 

Know your consumer rights

• If the item you’ve bought from a UK-based retailer is faulty you’re entitled to a refund within 30 days of purchase. 
• If you bought an item online and have simply changed your mind then you have the right to return it within 14 days.
• If a retailer refuses to comply then you can take them to the small claims court. 

Images: Getty / Royal Mail