SIR - We, at the Federation of Small Business (FSB), welcome the end of the strike at the Oxford sorting office, but note that this is only the most recent strike at the Royal Mail to blight this county.

Many of the 2,000 members of the FSB in Oxfordshire are learning that letters and invoices do not have to be sent using the services of the Royal Mail.

We do not have to put up with delays in the post caused by poor industrial relations at the Oxford sorting office.

An invoice sent by e-mail is as valid as one sent by post.

A payment can be made through the banking system and does not require a cheque to be put in the post.

Business is no longer required to use the Royal Mail.

Unless industrial relations improve in Oxford, management and staff should not be surprised that our members, the owners of small businesses in Oxfordshire, will find other ways of communicating, which are cheaper, more reliable and as effective as sending a letter.

BERNARD WHYATT

Chairman

Federation of Small Business

Oxfordshire