A postman has resigned after he was accused of stealing mail he was supposed to deliver.

The Royal Mail has launched an official investigation into the allegations, and management said it will prosecute the postman if clear evidence can be found to support the charges.

The postman worked at the sorting office in Sterling Road, Kidlington, until May 11 when a Royal Mail investigations team first accused him of theft.

Royal Mail spokesman Floyd Jebson said: "I can confirm that a postal worker is being investigated following allegations of theft in the Kidlington area which were pursued by our investigations branch.

"The worker concerned has resigned but our inves- tigations continue.

"Instances of theft from the post are very rare and the overwhelming majority of our workers are very hard-working and honest.

"The fact that our investigation staff have deal so quickly and efficiently with these allegations illustrates how seriously we take such activity."