POSTAL services are facing further disruption in the Winchester district.

Last week it emerged that staff at the city's sorting office in Winnall were battling with a backlog of parcels.

Royal Mail said packages were being delayed by an average of 24 hours, but some residents complained of longer waits.

The situation arose due to staff shortages caused by sickness and vacancies, it said.

Royal Mail added that more employees were hired to clear the backlog, but another delay is now looming.

The Communication Workers Union is calling for a one-day stoppage tomorrow (Friday). If it goes ahead, it will be the first national postal strike in more than a decade.

The union is upset about job cuts along with pay and pensions, and says postal chiefs have refused to talk.

In response, Royal Mail has expressed its disappointment about the planned stoppage.

It added: "We have well-developed contingency plans in order to reduce the effect of the strike, but disruption is inevitable."

Deliveries could suffer delays, it said, including items on special delivery, where refunds would apply.

Most business customers will not receive collections tomorrow, Royal Mail added.

The Federation of Small Businesses has raised concerns about the dispute.

Ken Moon, who is based in Hampshire and chairs the group's Wessex Region, said: "Any strike will affect our members but should it turn into a lengthy one it could be devastating for small businesses.

"Our survey on the postal service showed that 88 per cent of small firms send mail every day, and 94 per cent of small businesses use Royal Mail exclusively."

The strike is also expected to include some staff working at post office counters.

The stoppage is not connected to the current plan to shut Winchester's main post office in Middle Brook Street and replace it by new counters inside the city's branch of WH Smith.