When it comes to sending Christmas cards, people in Crewe have it licked.

Royal Mail has found that Christmas spirit is in full swing in the town after cards and letters posted from there saw the largest percentage increase in December 2012 compared to the month before.

Residents of the town join people from Liverpool, Warrington and Wigan as the most festive in the UK, after findings show they sent more Christmas cards in 2012 than anyone else.

In its quest to identify the region with the most Christmas spirit, Royal Mail analysed First Class card and letter volumes in its mail centres nationwide.

The findings show people living in the CW, WN, WA and L postcodes, served by the Warrington Mail Centre, sent the largest percentage increase in letters and cards in December when compared to November. The increase saw a staggering 1,343% of this mail being sent, three and half times more than national average increase of 383%.

Christmas cheer was also spread from Portsmouth, with people in the city sending 1,168% more mail during the same period. They are followed by Chelmsford, Southend-on-Sea and Colchester residents. Stephen Agar, Managing Director of Consumer and Network Access at Royal Mail, commented: “Our findings show the season of goodwill is in full swing in the North West with people across the region eager to send their festive greetings with traditional Christmas cards, “We’re thrilled to name the region the most festive in the UK and we look forward to seeing if they can keep the title this year or whether another area can beat them to it by spreading even more Christmas joy.”

Sharon Little from the UK Greeting Cards Association, added: "It's great to hear that people in Crewe, Liverpool, Wigan and Warrington are so full of the Christmas spirit. Christmas cards are all about keeping in touch, conveying caring and spreading goodwill at Christmas time. People value receiving real Christmas cards, which convey real feelings. Cards are a physical manifestation of someone's regard that people keep and enjoy displaying in the home."