Bribes cut Post Office sick days

Bribing postmen with new cars to ensure letters are delivered on time has proved a huge success, Post Office chiefs said today.

They claimed that as a result of the incentives first class delivery last autumn was the best for almost 10 years, with 91.9 per cent of items delivered the following day.

Staff names are entered in a draw to win prizes, but to win one of the cars they must not have taken any days off sick during a 12 month period.

A spokeswoman said daily attendance had risen by more than 10 per cent.