THOUSANDS of the capital's postal workers have begun a 24-hour strike today in a continuing row over jobs and services.

Members of the Communication Workers Union across the UK, including London, are taking part in the walk-out.

The union has accused Royal Mail of cuts which threatened modernisation and broke a national agreement.

Dave Ward, union deputy general secretary, said: "Postal workers are sick and tired of an incompetent management running their business into the ground. Workers are busier than ever and being treated badly.

“The current round of cuts in jobs and services is unacceptable.

"Royal Mail agreed in 2007 to work with the union on agreeing modernisation.

“Despite explicit commitments to negotiate they are reneging on that agreement and imposing panic-driven cuts to jobs and services. This is downsizing, not modernisation.

"The company has failed to set out any clear or joined up vision of what modernisation really means.

“They must stop imposing change and work with the union to agree the bigger picture of modernisation that the postal service badly needs.”

For the first time since a national dispute in 2007 the strike includes Royal Mail lorry drivers meaning cross-country mail services will be severely disrupted.

A national strike ballot will be conducted in September.

Strikes have affected several areas of Britain already in recent weeks, notably London.

Royal Mail has condemned the action and says the more than 90 per cent of workers will still turn up for work.