A WALKOUT has been staged by Burnley postal workers as an industrial dispute threatens to disrupt deliveries across the borough.

Eleven collections workers at the Bank Parade sorting office staged unofficial action over the suspension of a colleague last week.

Postal staff are angry that the suspension, which followed a complaint from a customer, has not been resolved.

The Lancashire Telegraph can reveal that the worker is alleged to have sworn at a member of the public during a confrontation.

But sources insist the postal worker, who has 28 years unblemished service, was ‘provoked’ and should have escaped with a warning.

The incident is believed to have been captured on an in-car security device.

Today there are fears that the wildcat strike, by the worker’s immediate colleagues, could spread among the 175-strong Burnley workforce.

Stuart Caddy, of the Communication Workers Union, said: “We are working hard to bring an end to this dispute.”