How sorting Norwich's Christmas gifts and cards has changed over the years

Those working in the Royal Mail sorting office in Norwich are currently sifting through thousands of cards, letters and presents ahead of Christmas Day.

They are not the only ones doing the sorting though, with Norwich Evening News community content curator Kate Wolstenholme looking through the archives to find these pictures of festive postal workers through the years.

Looking back at the pictures it seems not a lot has changed from the oldest to most recent images, with letters still making the trip down a chute before being collected by a postal worker at the bottom.

Other areas of the office also seem remarkably unchanged, with the only thing difference being the people.

Norwich Royal Mail sorting office staff processing Christmas cards and gifts on their busiest day of the year. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016)

Not a lot appears to have changed in Norwich Sorting Office down the years. (Image: Archant)

Sorting the letters in Norwich Sorting Office does not appear to have changed much down the years with the exception of a more casual uniform. (Image: Archant)

What differences can you notice in the sorting office? (Image: Archant)

Some of the half-million letters and Christmas cards which it was estimated would be handled in 1965 at the Norwich sorting office. (Image: Archant)

The Post Office sorting office in Thorpe Road in Norwich. (Image: Archant)

Norwich Royal Mail sorting office staff processing Christmas cards and gifts on their busiest day of the year. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016)

Norwich Royal Mail sorting office staff processing Christmas cards and gifts on their busiest day of the year. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016)

Norwich Sorting Office's stamp cancelling machine on December 12, 1957. (Image: Archant)