THE Royal Mail has accused union officials of walking away from talks and condemned the new strikes.

Three days of talks between the Communication Workers Union (CWU) and Royal Mail aimed at averting the strikes broke down last night.

Dave Ward, pictured right, CWU deputy general secretary, said this week's talks had been the "most useful and productive" since the start of the dispute over jobs, pay and modernisation.

But Royal Mail said the union was "playing havoc" with customer confidence.

Mr Ward said: "We tabled a proposal as part of the process that reflected the progress made over the last few days.

"Had that proposal been agreed, this would have enabled a period of calm and allowed further talks with the intention of concluding a full and final agreement.

"We remain committed to reaching an agreed resolution."

Mark Higson, Royal Mail managing director, said: "We have repeatedly asked for a common sense approach that allows a strike-free Christmas while we talk about the future, yet even that seems too much for the CWU to accept.

"Yesterday, we were once again on the verge of a sensible agreement that would have allowed us to enter into in-depth discussions with the CWU over the future of Royal Mail in an atmosphere of calm.

"However, just like last week, the CWU leadership has failed to carry its own postal executive committee.

"The committee appears to be split, with London members at odds with the rest of the country and unable to reach any decision."