The latest walkout affects the OX1 and OX2 postcode areas

Royal Mail bosses have unveiled the staff advice scheme as the unofficial strike in Oxford enters its third week.

But union bosses said staff were not yet returning to work because the firm has banned strikers from carrying out any overtime, as punishment.

The Royal Mail said the ban was normal procedure in unofficial strikes.

Independent inquiry

Staff at Oxford's main sorting office in Cowley first walked out on 30 March before being joined by workers from Headington and Royal Mail House a week later.

They had claimed that allegations of bullying were not being taken seriously by bosses.

But now the firm, which is also to hold an independent inquiry, is to offer a confidential counselling service.

It will allow all Oxford-based staff to enjoy face-to-face advice from an external company over any workplace concerns.

A spokesman said: "From the outset of the dispute we have provided clear evidence to both the Oxford and national Communication Workers' Union representatives that we have taken all allegations they and their members have made very seriously and shared with them the progress of investigations made so far."

The overtime ban will affect all those who went on strike until the backlog of mail has been cleared, the company said.