Postal staff turned up at work today but promptly walked out on strike again over a suspended Bicester postman.

A total of 52 postmen and women working from the Bicester sorting office, in Murdock Road, decided to continue with the strike after learning their colleague had not been reinstated.

They turned up for work this morning but staged a second consecutive walk-out following news that negotiations between union officials and management had broken down.

Kevin Duffy, of the Communication Workers' Union, warned the strike could spread to other parts of the county if the dispute is not settled soon. He said: "The union will not condone illegal action but in this case, we feel the suspension of the postman is inappropriate."

The postman, who has not been named, was suspended yesterday following an allegation of harassment concerning another member of staff at the sorting office.

Royal Mail has condemned the unofficial strike which has affected mail deliveries in the OX25, OX26 and OX27 areas of the town and surrounding villages.