Dog attacks have left the borough's posties with injuries 14 times in the last four years, it can be revealed.

Injuries Sutton's postmen and women have sustained due to dog attacks include bites to hands, shins and even their torsos.

The Royal Mail has called on dog owners to keep their pets under control as injuries to postal workers cause distress to staff and can lead to delayed deliveries and even suspensions.

Since 2009, 14 postal workers have been bitten by dogs including four last year, according to data released under the Freedom of Information Act. One of the most serious incidents left a worker with wounds to their trunk while several others left staff with cuts to their legs, arms and hands.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: "The safety of our employees is of paramount importance to Royal Mail and whilst we have a legal commitment to deliver to all addresses, we also have a duty under health and safety law to reduce risks and prevent injury to our people.

"Unfortunately, animal attacks are a hazard faced by our postmen and women every working day. These attacks cause great distress and in too many cases serious injuries. Where attacks do take place suspensions to deliveries may be put in place in the short term in order to ensure the safety of our employees."

The Royal mail commissioned a report into the prevalence and consequences of dog attacks last year. Sir Gordon Langley's report called on the Government to toughen-up the law as regards dog attacks ion delivery workers.

Sir Langley said: "It is a matter of real concern to learn of the extent and frequency of attacks on postal workers and to find that for a considerable time there has been almost general agreement not only on the inadequacies of the present law in England and Wales but also on the nature of the reforms required to address it, but to date it remains unchanged."