LOCAL business chiefs have breathed a sigh of relief after Royal Mail workers rejected strike action in their ballot.

Reacting to the news David Peacock, chief executive of Chamber Business Connections which embraces Bury companies, stated: "This move will come as a huge relief to many local firms. Many of our smaller firms across North Manchester rely on the postal service to deliver cheques and need a reliable service to stay afloat.

"The inability to know when much-needed funds would have been delivered would have stretched business at a time when many are already struggling. This move would also have affected business planning and investment as uncertainty over funds may have passed on into uncertainty over cashflow and future spending."

Mr Peacock continued: "We urge the two sides to get back around the negotiating table to ensure that strike action is now not an option and we hope that a deal will soon be struck."