With Christmas marking the busiest time of the year for the Royal Mail, it has announced the latest recommended posting dates for Christmas delivery, with First Class mail to be sent out by December 20, Second Class by December 18 and Special Delivery by December 22.

Simmonds is helping with the campaign after the 17-year-old from Walsall won two gold medals, a silver and a bronze in the S6 category at the London 2012 Paralympics to add to the two golds she won at Beijing 2008.

"I know the sense of achievement that comes from getting there first and the joy it brings to my loved ones," she said.

"So, make sure you send your Christmas cards early to help Royal Mail at its busiest time of year.

"I will be posting my Christmas cards to family and friends early so that they can enjoy them for as long as possible."

Ellie Simmonds met the Queen this week at a glittering reception at Buckingham Palace for Britain’s London 2012 Olympians and Paralympians

The campaign comes just days after Simmonds met the Queen at a glittering reception at Buckingham Palace for Britain's Olympians and Paralympians.

She is now back in training following her Paralympic success and has already declared her intention to swim at the Rio 2016 Paralympics in just under four years' time.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]