As a second day of postal strikes get underway, its understood Union leaders and Royal Mail bosses will hold further talks today.

It comes as the Communication Workers Union (CWU) threatens more walkouts for longer periods, in the run up to Christmas.

44,000 Royal Mail staff members downed tools yesterday including mail centre workers and delivery drivers.

Today 400 workers in Plymouth, Stockport and Stoke, who redirect badly addressed mail, are on the picket lines.

They will be followed by 77,000 delivery and collection workers on Saturday.

Billy Hayes from the CWU says if an agreement is not reached, they will be ‘stepping up’ the industrial action, bringing fears of severe disruptions over Christmas.