TheE threat of strike action by postal workers in Oxford has been averted.

Postal workers had voted to ballot for industrial action over increased workloads. But they said tonight that the ballot had been withdrawn following talks.

The ballot for industrial action raised the threat of more than 300 workers going on strike across the city in August.

Bob Cullen, area processing representative for the Communications Workers' Union, said: "The ballot has been withdrawn from all the offices, so there is not going to be any strike.

"The ballot has been withdrawn following negotiations with the management, and further talks will now take place."

Tom Prendergast, a spokesman for Royal Mail, said: "We have been informed by the CWU that as a result of progress in the discussions held in Oxfordshire, no action will take place as a result of these ballots."

Earlier this year Royal Mail announced plans to close the Oxford Mail Centre in Cowley and switch operations to Swindon next summer.

The mail centre was not involved in this latest industrial dispute.