Don't expect to hear the familiar thud of your post landing on your doormat this morning.

A 24-hour strike by postal workers - the first in 11 years - is being held after talks to resolve the dispute broke down yesterday.

The Communication Workers' Union, which represents postal workers across the UK, said the decision to strike was over pay and Royal Mail's modernisation plans.

CWU say the plans include 40,000 job cuts and the downsizing and franchising of post offices.

Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said in a statement: "What Royal Mail are doing is not modernisation. The truth is they are intent on cutting services, cutting jobs and cutting pay."

The union estimates as many as 124,000 Royal Mail staff will take part in the industrial action, leaving the company unable to collect post from business customers and causing delays to residential deliveries.

Post offices are closed between 9am and 12pm today and again on Monday as part of the strike.

A second 24-hour strike could be held in two weeks' time if there is no breakthrough.

Royal Mail said it was "hugely disappointed" the union had taken strike action after offering a 2.5 per cent pay deal - which was rejected.

It said: "We have well-developed contingency plans in order to reduce the effect of the strike, but disruption is inevitable."