UNION chiefs today blamed job cuts for slow post in north Essex - and warned that standards will continue to decline as bosses plan more lay-offs.

The Communications Workers Union (CWU) revealed it recently "reluctantly" agreed to the axeing of five night shift positions at the Eastgates sorting office in Colchester.

Local union rep Peter Boulton said bosses were now proposing to shed 14 or 15 delivery staff.

He claimed the programme of cuts - coming on top of 25 sorting office redundancies in 2007 - would make it increasingly difficult for posties to hit targets.

Recently-published Royal Mail figures for 2007/8 showed the CO postcode area, which covers both Colchester and Tendring, had the second-worst record for delivery of first-class mail in the country - only Stoke-on-Trent was worse.

A Royal Mail spokesman said industrial action had played "a significant part" in dragging down the quality of service.

He added: "Everyone in the business must deliver further improvements."