Nationwide walkouts and months of bitter dispute between the Royal Mail and postal workers over job cuts will come to a head today – when the results of the national strike ballot are released.

If the Communication Workers Union members vote yes, as is expected, it could trigger the first nationwide postal walkout since 2007.

The CWU's website features a nine minute video from the CWU Deputy General, Dave Ward, urging members to vote "yes".

The national mail service could be quickly brought to a standstill as the union is only required to give 7 days' notice for a national strike.

Localised walkouts are scheduled for the rest of this week including Bristol, London, Nottingham and Leeds.