Post strikes called off after last-ditch talks succeed

A fresh wave of postal strikes was dramatically called off tonight just hours before the latest walkouts were due to start.

Sources said that 24-hour national stoppages due to be held tomorrow and next Monday would not go ahead after a deal was agreed to end a long-running row over jobs, pay and pensions.

Members of the Communication Workers' Union have held a series of strikes in recent months which have caused huge delays to mail deliveries.

But following several days of talks between the union leaders and the Royal Mail, an agreement was finally reached.

The union's postal executive is believed to have sanctioned the agreement at a meeting in London today.

The union made no official comment but a statement is expected later.