A ROYAL Mail postbox in Rockwell Green is set to undergo a tech upgrade as part of a nationwide effort to improve parcel post.

The postbox, located on Hilly Head, has been dismantled and taped up, and is currently out of use until further notice.

In April, Royal Mail unveiled its first solar-powered “postbox of the future” to allow larger parcels to be dropped off for collection.

The famous red postboxes currently accept parcels that are small enough to fit through a letterbox, but thousands could be adapted to the new design to accept larger parcels, said Royal Mail.

When boxes are adapted, customers will be able to scan their parcel’s barcode and a drawer will open for them to drop it in. Proof of postage will be able to be requested through the Royal Mail app.

The new postboxes were being piloted in the Ware, Herford and Fowlmere, and are now being rolled out further across the UK. Letters can still be posted in the usual way through a separate opening.

Emma Gilthorpe, CEO at Royal Mail, said: “In making this historic change to our postboxes, our goal is to maximise choice and convenience for our customers. In an era where letter volumes continue to decline and parcels are booming, we are giving our iconic postboxes a new lease of life on street corners across the nation.

“You can now drop your parcel in any postbox where it fits - you just need a label with a barcode.”

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: "Our new postboxes of the future will offer another convenient way for customers in Wellington and elsewhere to access Royal Mail's services, alongside home delivery and collection, our Customer Service Points, Post Office branches, lockers and Collect+ Parcelshops."