Britain used to be proud of its postal service. It was a byword for reliability.

Not any more. First-class mail often fails to arrive the next day and second-class mail is usually a joke. Complaints are rising and there are threats in Sussex of industrial action by delivery staff.

There have already been alterations to the industry, with the service being split into Consignia, which runs postal services including the Royal Mail. Private enterprise might bring a breath of fresh commercial air to an industry which is poorly run at present.

But there is always the danger commercial operators will cream off the best bits of a service and not be too interested in delivering a letter from someone in Hove to his grandmother in the Scotland.

Action is needed because already some companies are finding other ways of getting their message across.

The fax has replaced the letter as a means of communication between many offices, being quicker, cheaper and more reliable.

Emails and the internet are also being used widely. Postal bosses and staff can no longer rely on the public as being captive.

If offered a poor service, they will look for alternatives to snail mail.