by Katie Lamborn

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 strike

today, 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."

The CWU has accused Royal Mail and Business Secretary Lord Mandelson

of 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.