Royal Mail insists Oxford's backlog of undelivered mail should be cleared by next week after admitting the aftermath of an unofficial strike was taking "slightly longer" to clear than first thought.

An inquiry into the circumstances of the 16-day dispute at the Oxford Mail Centre in Cowley and the Headington sorting office begins next week, but the city's postal service is still in chaos, with thousands of items of mail still awaiting delivery.

Disgruntled residents have rung a special hotline set up by the Oxford Mail to report how the strike, which ended a fortnight ago, is continuing to affect them.

Across the city householders and businesses say they are still being affected by the wildcat industrial action, which ended on April 16.

Credit card bills, benefit claims, pensions and bank statements are among items still not delivered.

Royal Mail spokesman Jane Beese said: "Recovery is taking slightly longer than we anticipated, particularly from a delivery point of view, but by the beginning of next week we should be back on track.

"We're paying compensation for the delay and an internal investigation is being launched next week to investigate the circumstances that sparked the dispute."

We reported that retired postman Gerry Casey, 71, got so fed up with the service in Barton he collected mail from the Headington depot and delivered it to his neighbours in William Morris Court.

Have you got a story to tell about undelivered mail? Call the Oxford Mail post line on 01865 425465.