The rise of online shopping has led to an increase in postal workers being attacked by dogs in their customers' gardens, according to new figures published by Royal Mail.

Attacks on postal workers in front gardens were up by 40 percent over the last 12 months compared to the previous period.

Royal Mail global director of safety Shaun Davis said: "More and more dog attacks happen on postal workers at the front door or in the front garden and that number is increasing as we deliver more online-purchased parcels".

Over the 2017-18 period there were 1,026 dog attacks on postal workers in front gardens, up from 733 for the preceding 12 months.

The increase comes amid a surge in online shopping in the UK.