Royal Mail postmen and woman at deliver six days a week to millions of addresses – and dog attacks are a significant hazard with more than 49 workers attacked each week.

Despite joint dog awareness campaigns run by Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union, dog attacks remain unacceptably high.

More than 80 per cent of attacks happen at the front door or in the garden and Royal Mail is appealing to dog owners to think twice when posties deliver to your address.

The Communication Workers Union's national health and safety and environment officer, Dave Joyce, said: “Some irresponsible dog owners' failure to control their animals remains a major concern for postal workers and the public.

“The number of dog attacks in UK society continues to rise, with yearly hospital admissions for dog bites increasing by more than 80 per cent in the last decade.”