SO the Royal Mail hasn't reached any of its targets set in May but at least the service is improving, according to chief executive Adam Crozier (August 31).

No one could have hoped to turn round an ailing business in such a short time so it came as no surprise to me. What has surprised and saddened me is that some people and businesses have been laying the blame for delayed goods on the postal service when it has, in fact, been their own failure to meet their customers' needs.

It is the old "the cheque is in the post" routine that has conveniently been turned to their advantage.

Mrs J Clark,

Hampden Street, York.

Updated: 10:03 Thursday, September 02, 2004