Temporary Royal Mail staff at Canterbury’s delivery centre have not been paid due to problems with their recruitment agency.

James Taylor, from Tyler Hill, is almost £600 out-of-pocket having worked three weeks without pay.

For the last three years, the 22-year-old has worked over the festive season for Royal Mail and been paid directly by them.

But, this year agency Angard Staffing Recruitment has taken over the hiring and management of temporary staff. James and dozens others have been unable to contact the Northampton-based recruiters for more than a week.

Mum Jennifer Taylor, from Sunnymeade, admits James and his colleagues have been left in the dark.

She said: "We’ve kept trying to ring them to find out why he hasn’t been paid, but only managed to get through and speak to someone once.

"James hasn’t even managed to send his P45 from the job centre on to anyone yet, so they can register him as employed. He’s also set to be taxed on earnings he hasn’t even received yet.

"Angard did have a Facebook page where they advertised their jobs, but that was taken down recently. There’s no other way we can get hold of them."

Royal Mail spokesperson Valerie Antoine said: "The vast majority of temporary staff have been paid.

"We are aware of some seasonal workers who have unfortunately not been paid when they should have been. We have taken this up with the various agencies we work with, in order to resolve the problem.

"As many seasonal workers in this position as possible have been pro-actively contacted this weekend to reassure them that the issue is being dealt with and that plans are in place to pay them within the next few days."

The Kentish Gazette has so far been unable to contact Angard directly.

Are you experiencing the same problems as James?

Contact the Kentish Gazette newsroom on 01227 475985 or emailkentishgazette@thekmgroup.co.uk