SCHOOLCHILDREN can make sure Santa will receive their Christmas lists in time after a postbox was installed on their housing estate – five years after householders moved in.

The 'early Christmas present' has been unveiled on Bicester's Kingsmere estate just in time for the festive season after years of campaigning.

Families say they are delighted to finally have the new box, located outside St Edburg's Primary School, which was unveiled on Friday.

Banbury MP Victoria Prentis, who has already mailed her own letters using the postbox, has been petitioning Royal Mail for post boxes on all new estates in her constituency.

She said: "While some people may think that the issue of post boxes is a trivial matter, they really are vital for residents’ continuing their normal day-to-day lives after moving to a new area.

"I understand that a lot of correspondence is dealt with online, but my constituents still regularly send letters, particularly the elderly."

The box will stand outside a new community centre and shops, which are due to be completed by March.

They will make up part of the Kingsmere development, which has been under construction since 2010.

Once complete, Kingsmere is expected to have up to 2,450 homes.

The Kingsmere Residents Association said it has been lobbying for the first post box for about four years.

Co-chairman of the association, Viki Heil, said: "Four years is an awful long time and it might not seem like much but it has been a lot of campaigning. It is important for developers to ensure the facilities are in place, especially for residents who maybe don't use technology and do rely on using the post box nearby.

"We are quite excited, the children will be able to post their letters to Father Christmas.

"It has been installed just in time for Christmas and is a little bit of good news for Kingsmere."

The group will be holding a small gathering to officially open the post box on Saturday at 10am, as well as celebrate the good result from a successful and dedicated campaign.

Mrs Prentis added: "North Oxfordshire is experiencing unprecedented levels of growth and I will continue to push for services such as post boxes, adequate health care and sustainable road infrastructure.

"I look forward to meeting Royal Mail later this month to discuss this further."