Postal workers union leaders in Oxford believe they are being deliberately targeted by Royal Mail management in a bid to force through sweeping changes to the service.

Officials from the Oxfordshire branch of the Communication Workers Union say the dismissal of two workers in the past week is clear evidence that management is trying to "break" the union, not just locally but nationally.

CWU representative Bob Cullen said: "We are the strongest branch in the country and half the management now want to smash it.

"What happened to these people was the biggest kangaroo court I have ever seen - and I have been around for a long time.

"Oxford is central to the union and this is an attempt to overthrow us."

In recent months, an increasingly bitter battle has been waged between the CWU nationally and directors of the Royal Mail, with the last round of talks breaking down over a range of proposals covering pay, operational changes and pensions.

Now the CWU believes new tactics are being employed in Oxford in a bid to derail the union and force through the changes which, it is feared, could lead to thousands of job losses across the UK.

But Royal Mail bosses declined to be drawn on the "union bashing" charge. Spokesman Jacquie Stenson said: "We have an agreed conduct procedure relating to all employees, including elected union representatives, and we have followed the procedure correctly in these cases.

"Given that the individuals have the right of appeal under this process, there is nothing to be gained by threatening industrial action and risking more inconvenience for customers."

A fast track ballot for strike action by Oxfordshire postal workers will open on Tuesday, with the result being announced a week later.

The move follows the sacking of postmen Steven Gill and John Doran at the Oxford Mail Centre in Cowley for gross misconduct.

CWU spokesman Sian Jones said notice of any action would be decided on when the vote came in.

If a strike is announced, it will run separately from national strike action, an announcement about which is expected soon.