Union leaders are locked in discussions with Royal Mail bosses aimed at averting a further three days of strike action planned for later this week.

Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) staged two days of industrial action on Thursday and Friday, walking out in a nationwide protest over pay, conditions and modernisation plans.

Members of the CWU’s Watford branch, gathered outside the Ascot Road sorting office on Thursday, said the walkouts would continue “for as long as it takes.”

Three further days of strike action are now planned for this week: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

The two sides are currently meeting at the London offices of the Trades Union Congress, with a decision expected later.

Trevor Flowers, spokesman for the Watford CWU, said “it was too early to speculate” at the outcome of the talks.