A mum who works as a delivery driver has shared a direct message to people who moan about their post ahead of Christmas this year.
Dannii Thomas works part time as a Hermes delivery driver, picking up shifts covering for other drivers on their days off or during holidays.
Miss Thomas, who delivers in South Wales, has delivered 450 parcels in just six days, using her trusted 15-year-old Rover rather than a delivery van.
She told Wales Online : "It started back in September when you'd get 60 or 70 parcels a day. Now you are getting over a 100."
"The rush used to begin at the beginning of November.
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"The most I've had is probably about 120 in a day, especially at this time of year because it's Christmas and Hermes have taken on a lot more companies."
Danni usually covers Llantwit Major but her jobs can sometimes take her as far as the lighthouse in Nash Point or over to St Athan.
As someone with both an under active thyroid and hemochromatosis – a disorder which affects the amount of iron in your body – it does take it toll.
She said: "It makes me really really tired but I get on with it. I like speaking to people, meeting animals – especially dogs," Dannii laughs.
"I'm always fatigued but once I get out I'm happy to do it.
"I'm just generally a people person. Especially the elderly, they can get a bit lonely so when you come they like to have a chat.
"I'm 36 and I grew up here. My dad is deputy mayor so a lot of people know me anyway so they just message to ask if they can pick something up.
"I live at a cross roads so if people are not at home I put that a parcel is with their neighbour and say it's at my house so they can come and collect it."
Danni has since urged people not to slate delivery drivers who deliver their post.
She said: "We try to help people out as much as possible but what really annoys me is people slating us on Facebook .
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"People don't realise what we go though, it's taxing on my car, on my body. Go on Facebook but just ask who your local Hermes driver is for the area. Don't slate us.
"But a lot of people say thank you and are really appreciative. The amount that will ask if I'm freezing and say come in for a cup of tea.
"They do respect you but you have the random ones [who don't]."
Writing on on Facebook, Dannii said: "So over six days I have delivered 450 parcels and that's not including collections. Taken up most of my day, time away from family too.
"I am very grateful I have a job but please understand that over 90 parcels a day in this freezing, horrible weather is a task and a half. My lips are chapped, my back is killing and I am knackered, so please think before you go slating us Hermes delivery people."
On a typical day Danni can earn £50 for delivering 90 parcels, but it also means spending long hours away from her family at the most festive time of year.
Dannii, who is mother to 14-year-old and 18-year-old daughters Jessica and Jazzy, said: "The only thing I hate is the wind, it's horrible.
"I don't mind rain or ice because you can stay in the car but the wind is constantly there."
Dannii spends a lot of time trying to make her customers are happy, by making sure parcels are left safely.
She said: "I hide them under trailers, people get little gas boxes outside their homes and you can lift the lid [and put a parcel in].
"There's plant pots, dog houses, chicken coops, anywhere you can put on the note because people want their parcels and it saves going back the next day.
"The only thing we can't do is drop it off if it needs signing. A lot of people ask us to put an X for them and as long as you have their permission you can do that."
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