Children writing to Father Christmas in the UK’s capital cities will have a chance to hear festive jingles break out as they post their wish list.

Four letterboxes in as yet undisclosed locations in London, Cardiff, Belfast and Edinburgh will be installed with sensors which will trigger either the sound of sleigh bells or a jolly message from Old Saint Nick.

Anyone putting mail in the special postboxes will hear the merry messages in the coming weeks. The red postboxes are adorned with snowflakes and will be in place throughout the festive season.

Simon Barker, operations director at Royal Mail, said: “We enjoy any way we can add a little extra fun to posting Christmas cards this year.”

To beat the festive rush and ensure your letters and parcels arrive in time, Royal Mail recommends that people send second class post by 18 December, first class post by 20 December and special deliveries by 22 December.