Stafford’s Christmas post was hit for the second time in three days when Royal Mail workers went on strike.

Thousands of households did not receive their mail this morning due to around 700 postmen and postwomen taking to the picket line.

It is the third strike in 10 days with the town’s post already hit on December 9 and 16.

Workers are also threatening a December 23 strike – the last postal day before Christmas – which could leave thousands of customers in Stafford without gifts and cards until after the festive period.

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Stafford’s Christmas post was hit for the second time in three days when Royal Mail workers went on strike.

Thousands of households did not receive their mail this morning due to around 700 postmen and postwomen taking to the picket line.

It is the third strike in 10 days with the town’s post already hit on December 9 and 16.

Workers are also threatening a December 23 strike – the last postal day before Christmas – which could leave thousands of customers in Stafford without gifts and cards until after the festive period.

The striking staff are all members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU), which is protesting against Royal Mail plans to reduce some full-time vacancies to part-time. Hundreds of volunteer managers have had to be drafted in by Royal Mail to try to alleviate the disruption.

Area general manager Doug Neal said: “We apologise to our customers in the ST postcode area affected by the official industrial action taking place at 11 of Royal Mail’s delivery offices today.

“The strike is damaging for our customers, our business and our people, particularly at this extremely busy time of year.

“It is very disappointing the Communication Workers’ Union has decided to take these three days of action and cause inconvenience to our customers over already agreed resourcing processes.

“We have been doing everything possible to minimise the disruption by drafting in hundreds of managers to deliver Special Delivery items and collect mail posted in the affected areas.

“However we regret the majority of residents in the ST postcode area will not receive deliveries as a result of the action.”

Malcolm Brundrett, area representative for the CWU, said: “In simple terms, the Royal Mail is planning to reduce vacancies to make efficiency savings.” He said the CWU believed Royal Mail had not consulted with the unions fully.