The owners of a small company which makes quirky greetings cards has slammed proposals to cut Royal Mail services.

Husband and wife team Iain and Maddie Hamilton launched Bewilderbeest in Elmswell, near Stowmarket six years ago.

The business - which creates "proudly absurd" and meticulously drawn cards, as well as teeshirts and other items - has grown rapidly since, and now employs four local people.

Communications watchdog Ofcom is proposing watering down Royal Mail's obligations - meaning a loss of services.

It has set out two options for reforming Royal Mail's service against a backdrop of lower demand for letter delivery. Since 2011, letter volumes have halved, it said.

It is looking at making changes to first and second class services which could mean letters take up to three days longer to arrive and at a proposal to cut the number of delivery days from six to either five or three days a week. A next-day service could still be available for urgent letters.

But Iain, 35, said his award-winning greeting cards business relied on a UK postal service which delivered on time, all the time, right across the UK - and at a reasonable price.

His business is among more than 100 members of the Greeting Card Association which have written to their local MPs asking for their support.

“Our business wouldn’t exist without the Post Office," he said. “Our company started very small and most of our deliveries were carried out by the Royal Mail.

“They did a magnificent job during the Covid pandemic when they kept our business going.

“Since then our company has grown, and we now employ four people. Having a full time six day Royal Mail service is essential for businesses.

“For new firms starting out, utilising Royal Mail services is the only option open to them.

“If they use Royal Mail they can develop what they offer and they can grow, they will then create employment opportunities for more people, it is a virtuous circle which has so many benefits for all concerned.

“I hope they keep it going and don’t make the cuts that some people are talking about.

“It would be devastating to so many in the greeting card industry, along with so many other local independent businesses across the UK.

“This morning for example we sent out over 100 catalogues to various stockists - they rely on receiving them to know what we have to offer.”

The Greeting Card Association is urging people to support its #Cardmitment campaign to protect "vital" Royal Mail services.

Ofcom is inviting views from interested parties by April 3 on its analysis and the options for reform "to understand the potential impact on people and businesses".