Post office union leaders have played down fears another strike could cripple the service after bosses imposed a 2.9 per cent pay rise.

Oxfordshire postmen received a letter from the Royal Mail informing them they would have to accept the deal, despite it being rejected by the Communication Workers Union (CWU).

National CWU officials have described the move as "a hostile act clearly designed to provoke the union," and warned of a "confrontation" in the near future.

But Oxford CWU spokesman Kevin Duffy, said: "My own opinion is that it seems very unlikely that there will be strike action over this.

"But we are working with management on proposed job cuts and productivity schemes and these might be affected.

"Management cannot expect to work with the union when it suits them."

Royal Mail spokesman Adrian Booth confirmed the pay offer had gone out but refused to comment further.

Mr Duffy said that ideally workers were looking for an £80 a week pay rise to £390, although he was prepared to accept this could take several years to come into force.

A year ago, Oxford postal workers each received a £1,000 reward after national profits rocketed and the service is predicted to be in the black this year to the tune of £600m when figures are announced shortly.

In 2004 a series of wildcat strikes in Oxfordshire crippled the postal service for weeks.