A WARNING has been issued about deliveries being delayed as posties are “swooped on” by mischievous seagulls who have attacked them on their rounds.

Royal Mail have confirmed a number of roads have been affected by the “bizarre” disruption, with the birds swooping at delivery staff and attacking them while attempting to deliver post.

In a letter seen by the Echo, Thorpe Bay residents who live on Marcus Avenue, Marcus Gardens and Marcus Chase were told to expect disruption to their deliveries.

It read: “As you may be aware, we are currently experiencing some difficulties in delivering to you due to seagulls in the area swooping at delivery staff in order to protect their young.

“This is on occasion affecting our ability to deliver to you and your neighbours safely.”

It continued to explain how the team would attempt to deliver to residents on a daily basis, but if this couldn’t happen safely the mail would be returned to a sorting office.

It would then be held securely until they could attempt delivery again the following day.

Poppy Strike, supervisor at Billy Hundreds near Thorpe Bay Beach, has never seen anything like this happen in the town.

She said: “We are right on the beach and so we do tend to get quite a lot of seagulls.

“But thankfully they’re usually pretty good with our customers. They usually wait about for them to finish and leave the table before they take their food, holding off so they can take a chip or two.

“We’ve never heard of anything like this happening here. It makes you feel sad for the posties, bless them, who are just out trying to do their job. I’d be running a mile.”

John Budge, who lives in Thorpe Bay, had heard about the delays after reading about the problem on social media.

Mr Budge, from the Shoebury Residents Association, continued: “These seagulls are a very mischievous lot. If it is to do with their young then that will hopefully solve itself in a few weeks when the young will have flown away.

“I also feel sorry for the poor posties who could have had a pecking at. I’d hate to have birds flying around my face or getting too close, especially when you’re trying to work.”

Royal Mail, who posted the letter last week, have assured the safety of their staff is “paramount”.

A spokesperson said: “Our postmen and women can experience difficulties out on delivery in some areas due to swooping attacks by seagulls. We are monitoring the situation to ensure we can continue to deliver safely.”