Royal Mail postal services have been brought to a standstill in Kent today amid a two-day national strike.

Union bosses and Royal Mail failed to agree yesterday on their

dispute over pay, conditions and modernisation plans.

The Communication Workers Union said mail centre staff will striketoday, while delivery and collection staff will do so tomorrow.

"This is a disaster," says Andrew Aves from the Kent Federation of Small Businesses.

"Nine out of 10 small businesses in the county rely on Royal Mail...everyone needs to get back around the table and see what they can do to sort this out."

Chris Gorringe, who owns Carr & Westley in Hadlow, a mail order company which specialises in women's clothing, agreed.

He said: "We just won't get any money in. No post - no money."

Mr Gorringe said his business received 70 per cent of its income through the post.

It's quite a different story for Terry Williams who manages Chatham Couriers Services.

He said: "Christmas has come early, as far as I'm concerned."

He said he had seen a 50 per cent rise in business in the past week. He has even had to increase his team from 13 to 16 to deal with the extra work.

"Royal Mail have shot themselves in the foot... people are looking for a reliable service and the Royal Mail isn't giving it to them".

The CWU has accused Royal Mail and Business Secretary Lord Mandelsonof not getting involved in talks to end the dispute.

Lord Mandelson said: "National strike action is not in the best interests of the company, the workforce or the hard- pressed consumers and businesses that depend on Royal Mail".

The union has threatened to announce more strikes at the end of the week.