The industrial action is a response by the Communication Workers Union (CWU) to what they describe as "continuing cuts and executive action" by the mail operator.

The 24-hour strike, which will affect cities from Plymouth to Edinburgh, arrives little more than a week after London-based Royal Mail staff walked out over "arbitrary cuts".

Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said there were serious and growing problems in the postal sector "which urgently need resolving".

According to Ward, the union wants to have "meaningful" discussions with Royal Mail over about modernising the mail operator.

He said: "There's been no negotiation over bringing in machinery, redesigning deliveries or improving industrial relations."

Ward warned that unless the issues were addressed, Royal Mail would face the threat of a national strike. As of 29 March this year, Royal Mail directly employed 176,000 staff across the UK.

Also see: Royal Mail privatisation likely to be delayed