Frustrated villagers are calling on Royal Mail to unlock a "forgotten" postbox left sealed for three months.

Those living in Smarden, near Ashford, say some elderly neighbours are now unable to send their mail as alternative sites are too far away.

The shuttered box was installed in Biddenden Road in October in place of a rotten 50-year-old piece that had fallen down months before.

But a black guard placed across the mouth of the replacement, which sits at the junction of Cage Lane and Bethersden Road, has left it unusable.

Smarden Parish Council member Brian Bristow says residents feel forgotten as complaints have gone unanswered.

"We informed Royal Mail about the old postbox when it fell down in April and it was relatively quickly agreed that it would be replaced,” he said.

“But its replacement has been sealed up ever since it was installed.

“It’s ridiculous – the whole area has a significant number of houses that would use the postbox if only they could.”

In April 2020, the community-run Smarden Community Store and Post Office opened in Chessenden Lane after villagers raised more than £350,000.

But the shop sits at the other end of the village to the sealed postbox – leaving some residents isolated.

“The locked postbox is particularly needed because it’s quite a long walk to the Post Office,” Mr Bristow added.

“Most people can get in their car and drive to the next one but some people can’t.

“Where I live in Smarden, there is another postbox not too far away but for people who want to use the sealed one, such as elderly people, it’s really inconvenient.”

In a statement, a Royal Mail spokesman said: “The box was replaced recently, we are waiting for a barcode and time plate that was ordered yesterday (Wednesday).

“Once they are in place the box will be back in service.”