The disruption to the Christmas postal service is ramping up as postmen look increasingly likely to vote in favour of a national strike.

Union leaders are considering nationwide strikes and rolling walkouts to have the biggest impact on the run up to Christmas.

The Communication Workers Union is in the middle of a national ballot to strike – the votes from its 121,000 members are in on Thursday and the results are expected by the end of this week.

But union sources are reported to have hinted there are signs that its members will vote in favour.

The proposed strike comes after months of dispute over job cuts and modernisation plans.

Union leaders say the changes are "frightening and unprecedented" but the Royal Mail continues to say the strike is unjustified.