POSTAL workers in East Lancashire say they have reluctantly backed strike action in a bitter row over modernisation proposals by Royal Mail.

Last-ditch talks are now ongoing between the Communication Workers Union (CWU) and the postal giant after a national ballot overwhelmingly supported stoppages.

East Lancashire CWU chairman Stuart Caddy said there was a 'strong sense of frustration' caused by the attitude of management over proposed workforce changes.

The area's 600 postal workers could now be set to strike, depending on national developments.

The union must announce strike plans within 28 days or seek a fresh ballot.

The CWU's national executive will meet on Monday to decide on its next move and delegates nationwide will be briefed on their ruling the following day.

"Hopefully we will have a breakthrough before then. We appreciate the problems that a strike will bring and we don't want to harm our customers," said Mr Caddy.

"But we are determined to fight for the future of Royal Mail, and our members."

Union members across the UK, with a 67 per cent turnour, voted three-to-one in favour of strike action, with leaders accusing Royal Mail of 'arrogance' and refusing to engage in consultations over modernisation.

But Postal Affairs minister Lord Young said: "A national postal strike is completely self defeating and will only serve to hurt consumers and businesses who rely on the post and drive even more people away from using mail as a means of communication.

Robert Hammond, postal expert at watchdog Consumer Focus, added: "We call on Royal Mail and the CWU to urgently ask for ACAS intervention to resolve this dispute."