POSTAL workers in Bridgwater staged their fifth 24-hour strike in three months last week - and warned more mail misery was just days away.

Communication Workers Union members in Bridgwater walked out at 7pm on Thursday in a dispute with Royal Mail, leaving letters and parcels undelivered.

The row, over modernisation of the postal service, saw the union members join a series of national strikes across the country aimed at crippling Royal Mail's resolve.

Passionate postal workers set up a picket line at the delivery office in Friarn Street on Friday.

Dave Chapple, a Woolavington postman and chairman of Bristol and District CWU, told the Mercury: “We want to protect the pay and conditions of our workers and preserve this public service.”

He said only one worker had crossed the picket line in Bridgwater.

Royal Mail attacked the CWU's strike action as 'totally unjustified' and apologised to its customers.

Mark Higson, Royal Mail managing director, said: “We urge the CWU to recognise the tough economic conditions faced by all our customers and Royal Mail itself and to live up to their claims to support modernisation.”

The Royal Mail's modernisation plans include more flexible working hours and new sorting equipment.

Bridgwater postal workers are expected to join another national, 24-hour strike this Saturday, unless the two sides reach a deal.

Bridgwater's MP, Ian Liddell-Grainger, urged the warring sides to end their feud for the sake of local businesses.

He said: “Every time there's a strike it affects businesses, who can't receive cheques or send out invoices.”

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