Sending a hand-written letter is often seen as a dying art form these days. 

But for many people living in Toms Lane, Kings Langley, this is most certainly not true.

Neighbours are “up in arms” that their much-loved George Regent Post Box - which dates before 1952 - has been removed without any warning by Royal Mail.

Concern has been raised that moving it further away from people’s homes will be inconvenient for those who cannot walk very far.

Anne Goldsmith, who has lived in the area for 35 years, hopes a new post box will be provided promptly so that people will be able to send letters once again.

Ms Goldsmith said: “I am very sad to see it disappear overnight without us being told.

“It is a very well used post box and I hope Royal Mail will provide us with a new one."

Jim Cornell, who lives opposite the site of the post box and founded his courier business IPS there in 1962, added: “I have run a thriving business here for many years and the post box is an important facility for us to have nearby.”

“We are sad to see it go and hope Royal Mail reinstate one as quickly as possible and are happy to offer our property for this.”

Cllr Michaels, who represents the Gade Valley Ward, believes post boxes are the "fabric of the community".

He said: “I am outraged we have lost this beautiful and well used post box and am calling on Royal Mail to reinstate it somewhere locally, preferably the same box or a similar era design.

“Post boxes are important for local residents and businesses, our national tradition and a thread in the fabric of the local community.

“I am sad that I can no longer walk my daughter to the post box."

A spokesperson for Royal Mail confirmed that the post box was on private property and so it could be removed when requested by the owner.

They said: “As detailed in our standard license agreement for postboxes on private property, owners can request that Royal Mail remove our postboxes at any time and we are obliged to do so – as happened in this case.

“We have located an appropriate site for the postbox on the same road and are currently waiting for council approval. Once we have received this, the new postbox will be installed as soon as possible. We apologise for any convenience this may have caused our customers, who can drop their mail off at any Post Office branch.”