National postal strikes will damage the Royal Mail in the long-term, the Prime Minister says.

According to Gordon Brown the firm could lose major contracts if the "unnecessary" walkout was not nipped in the bud.

It comes as the Early Day Motion signed by 60 MPs is "welcomed" by the Communication Workers Union.

It calls on the government to do all it can to ensure the Royal Mail responds positively to the Union's peace deal.

At Prime Minister's questions Gordon Brown said a national strike is "not in the interests of anybody".

If a national walkout does go ahead, Union bosses will announce dates later today.