An increase in UK postage costs has been introduced - bringing the cost of a first-class stamp to 46p.

This 5p rise in the cost of sending standard letters weighing up to 100g by first-class post represents a record increase.

Royal Mail has also moved to increase the cost of a second-class stamp by 4p to 36p. A first-class, large letter stamp has risen by 9p to 75p, and by 7p to 58p for second-class mail.