AN East Lancashire postal worker could be facing jail after he admitted tampering with mail.

Stephen Gouhar, 33, of Pinewood Drive, Accrington, who works at the Pendle Delivery Office, Nelson, has also been suspended.

Gouhar admitted delaying or opening a postal packet when he appeared at Burnley Magistrates Court. He was bailed until September 13, for a pre-sentence report.

Post bosses and police launched an investigation after Gouhar was allegedly seen in a car opening a large quantity of mail.

Royal Mail bosses have confirmed that an employee was under investigation, but would not reveal any more details surrounding the suspen-sion, or what action the worker could face.

Spokesman Ben Cawley said: "We can confirm that an employee at Pendle Delivery Office has been suspended on full pay."

The postal worker was arrested by police earlier this month on suspicion of obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception, but was later charged with the tampering offence.

A source at the Pendle Delivery Office said: "We heard a member of the public spotted a man opening mail while in his car."