People are being advised to send mail as early as possible

More than 1,000 staff are expected to walk out for 24 hours from a depot in Aston, Birmingham, on Friday morning.

The stoppage follows unofficial action at the St Stephens Street centre last month, after a postman was dismissed for gross misconduct.

The strike will affect the city centre in particular and people are being advised to send any mail early.

Royal Mail said workers would be drafted in from Birmingham and other parts of the Midlands in an effort to reduce the impact of the action.

An appeal is taking place against the decision to dismiss the postman at the centre of the dispute.

The Communication Workers' Union is to attend talks with Royal Mail on Thursday in an effort to settle the issue.