HOMES and businesses in the areas of Kent affected by the postal strike should shortly be receiving regular deliveries of mail.

Striking staff in Maidstone, Gravesend and Dartford began returning to work today following lengthy negotiations between union officials and the employers.

But it could take around two weeks to clear the backlog of mail.

In a joint statement, the Communication Workers' Union (CWU) and Royal Mail said "an understanding" had been reached. The CWU said the agreement was adequate for it to recommend to its members they return to work.

But as the strike was unofficial, staff in some parts of the country could decide to stay out despite the advice of their union.

Both sides will still go to scheduled talks at mediation service Acas today.

As about 400 postal workers in Dartford, where the strike began, headed back through the gates, Steve Wisely, CWU area representative, said they were pleased at trhe outcome.

He said: “The workers accepted what had been decided between the union and Royal Mail, so they returned to work ready to clear the backlog.

“We have regained the right to negotiate and things we will be discussing over the next couple of weeks are overtime and annual leave. The strike was more about protecting what we had as opposed to asking for more.”

The CWU said workers in Dartford went on to the the picket lines in support of a suspended driver who refused to transfer work to a sorting office following an overtime dispute.

Meanwhile, the NatWest Bank has advised customers to pay bills either online, via telephone or by popping into the Dartford High Street branch.

A spokesman said: “Until the post delay is sorted, if anyone is worried they should contact their local branch. Late payments will be looked at case by case.”

The same rule applies to people waiting for appointments at Darent Valley Hospital. A spokesman said: “We have only received five or six calls from people worried about their appointments and in turn we have told them to contact the appointments office.

“We send out between 300 and 500 letters a day and we have still been sending them out and anyone waiting for an emergency appointment has been contacted and told to again ring the appointments office.”