Postal workers are on strike today after talks to end the proposed industrial dispute failed.

Staff from Royal Mail's Mail Centres and Network Distribution Units have started a 24 hour walkout from 4am today.

This is due to be followed by a second 24 hour walkout from 4am tomorrow at the Delivery Offices and Collection Units.

Dave Ward, CWU (Communications Workers Union) deputy general secretary, said: "We're very disappointed that despite extensive talks with the Royal Mail, the company has dismissed our offers to resolve the dispute."

Royal Mail has vowed to keep mail moving by using hundreds of managerial and contract drivers to move mail around the country Thursday and Friday.

A statement on their website said: "We are really sorry for the impact and inconvenience the CWU strike action continues to have on our customers in London and other areas and the further problems this national industrial action will cause all customers. We are continuing to urge the CWU to call off all strike action and concentrate with us on supporting customers during the Autumn and Christmas peak mail period."

Earlier in the week Kent County Council said that striking postal workers shouldn't lead to problems with parents applying for secondary school places.

The deadline for secondary school applications in Kent is November 6 and local government leaders have voiced concerns that prolonged strike action could cause problems for parents.

Officials said they were worried that thousands of applications for preferred school choices could get held up in the backlog of mail caused by the industrial action.

KCC said it was keeping the situation under review and was encouraging parents to apply online. Primary headteachers were being asked to inform parents about the possible difficulties and to ensure applications were made in good time.