Post in Swindon could be thrown into chaos next month as 500 managers in Wiltshire are set to strike.

Union bosses claim Royal Mail is bullying managers into working longer hours while axing 3,000 jobs nationally.

A ballot about industrial action will be held at the end of April and a strike could follow.

Royal Mail has confirmed most of the jobs, which will go by the end of this month, are voluntary redundancies.

Compulsory job losses could eventually follow, although Royal Mail is unable to confirm whether Swindon will be affected.

Amicus trade union spokesman Brian Harris said there are 500 managers in Swindon and Wiltshire poised to walk out over the dispute. He says if it happens services would grind to a halt.

He said: "Royal Mail would not be able to operate a service and meet health and safety demands if our members strike.

"Across the country senior Royal Mail management are asking people to take voluntary redundancy. At the same time they want others to put in more hours and sign opt-out forms."

Under EU law people are not obliged to work more than 48 hours a week.

Royal Mail managers are being asked to sign documents which waive that right.

"It is clearly a cost-cutting measure and we are not happy about it," said Mr Harris.

Royal Mail spokesman Adrian Booth said the 3,000 jobs are surplus to requirements and industrial action would not prevent those jobs from going.

He said: "Many are being offered generous redundancy deals.

"With regards to the dispute over working hours, managers are not being forced to sign the forms.

"They are voluntary waivers. Many staff feel the need to work more than 48 hours a week.

"At the moment it is too early to say what the impact of industrial action would be on services. We remain committed to discussions with unions."

Kevin Shoesmith