SENDING a letter is about to get a bit more expensive, after Royal Mail announced it is to increase the cost of stamps.

From Monday, March 23, the price of a first-class stamp will increase by 6p to 76p, with a 4p hike for second-class stamps taking its price to 65p.

Royal Mail said the increases are necessary to "help ensure the sustainability of the one-price-goes-anywhere Universal Service."

Stephen Agar, managing director of letters at Royal Mail, added: “We are operating in a tough market at present, under the threat of making a loss by 2021.

"These price increases will help us maintain the quality of service that is expected by our customers, while supporting the Universal Service.”