Post Office staff in south Essex will strike on Christmas Eve in protest of having to work until 4pm.

Managers will fill in for counter staff from 12.30pm during the walk-out at the branches in High Street, Southend, East Square, Basildon, Laindon Centre, Laindon, and Rectory Grove, Leigh.

Traditionally the offices close at 12.30pm but this year Royal Mail told them to close at 4pm instead, giving people more time to collect their pensions and benefits before the service shuts over Christmas until December 29.

Andy Furey, national officer for the Communication Workers' Union, said: "There is no need to keep offices open until 4pm on Christmas Eve and to suggest otherwise is absurd.

"The 12.30pm finish time has been in place for decades. The public are used to it and employees deserve it. We have exhausted every single avenue to avoid industrial action, but the Post Office's dogmatic stance has left the union with no other option."

Royal Mail say they are being reasonable to ask staff to work until 4pm, as they are paid until the end of their shift anyway. In the past, the two million Post Office customers have been able to collect double benefit payments for over the festive period.