The Amicus trade union has warned that it plans to hold a strike ballot among Royal Mail staff once compulsory job losses have been announced.

Royal Mail managers stand accused of imposing longer hours on remaining members of staff.

"The company has said 3,000 managers are surplus to requirements," said Amicus postal officer Peter Skyte.

"This is clearly not the case if it is necessary for the remaining staff to work longer hours for the business to function.

"Unless the Royal Mail rule out compulsory redundancies we are on a collision course."