The planned postal strike tomorrow and Friday will go ahead, the Communications Workers Union (CWU) confirmed tonight.The union said that following the receipt of a letter from Mark Higson, Royal Mail managing director, it had 'no option' but to continue with strike action.

The planned postal strike tomorrow and Friday will go ahead, the Communications Workers Union (CWU) confirmed tonight.

The union said that following the receipt of a letter from Mark Higson, Royal Mail managing director, it had 'no option' but to continue with strike action.

Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said: 'We're very disappointed that despite extensive talks with the Royal Mail, the company has dismissed our offers to resolve the dispute.

'It appears, as revealed in the leaked Royal Mail document which was in the media last week, that Royal Mail has no intention of resolving this dispute. The company seems intent on sidelining the concerns of postal workers.

'We were making progress and believed that we could reach an agreement until Mark Higson's letter wiped out any chance of that. His letter pulls back from change by agreement which is at the heart of this dispute.

'We are now offering unconditional talks at ACAS next week, as offered many times in the past weeks. We sincerely hope that Royal Mail will take us up on that open offer of unconditional talks.

'Comments by Lord Mandelson and others have not helped the negotiations which were difficult to start with. We believe government has a constructive role to play in resolving the dispute.

'We also urge Mark Higson to get his hands dirty and get involved in resolving this dispute as he has so far not been present at any negotiations.'

How will you or your business be affected by the postal strike? Please call reporter Peter Walsh on 01603 772436 or email peter.walsh@archant.co.uk