Royal Mail workers were continuing their strike in Oxford and Bicester today over the suspension of a postman accused of harassing a colleague a strike they claim should never have happened.

Mail deliveries and collections were again at a standstill in many areas.

After a weekend meeting, postal workers blamed Royal Mail managers for the dispute, and described it as a farce.

They claimed that the postman accused of harassment and the alleged victim had shaken hands a month ago and had agreed to put differences behind them.

But a manager launched an investigation and the Bicester postman was suspended.

The probe is continuing even though the worker is now on strike in support of his suspended colleague. One postman, who was at crisis talks held in Oxford Town Hall yesterday, said: "It's a farce. The two men have made up and thought the matter had ended."

A separate dispute involving Witney staff ended when workers returned on Saturday after their suspended colleague was reinstated.

But mailboxes throughout Oxford remain sealed as the main strike continued into its fifth day. Exam results for thousands of youngsters are due later this week.

City postal employees walked out in support of their Bicester colleagues and have vowed to strike "as long it takes" to get the postman reinstated.

Pete Boswell, branch secretary of the Oxfordshire Communication Workers' Union, said: "There is very strong feeling over this and we apologise to customers, but it's not a simple case of asking people to go back to work." Housing benefit payments have been hit by the strike. Oxford City Council is asking people to take ID along to their St Aldate's office so they can be issued with another cheque. Call 01865 252849 for more information.