MAJOR POSTAL STRIKE THREATENS CHAOS

More than 25,000 postal workers will launch a series of strikes over the next few days in a worsening row over pay and jobs, it has been announced. The Communication Workers Union said the walkouts would hit postal services across Britain. Areas will include the West Country, London, East Anglia, the Midlands and Scotland. The strikes look set to be the biggest of their kind since a national stoppage in 2007, with more disruption threatened in coming months. Drivers based in Northampton, Birmingham, Coventry, London and Essex will be among workers striking for 24 hours on Friday. Postal staff in Somerset, Bristol and Edinburgh will take action on Saturday. The strike will then spread to Ipswich and Suffolk on Monday, with further areas set to be hit later next week.