Postal workers in Falmouth are threatening potential strike action after one of their number was sacked for not following procedure when helping a customer redirect their mail.

Communications Workers Union (CWU) members at the Royal Mail's Falmouth delivery office will ballot for strike action in support of David Gill-Murray, who claims he was sacked for helping a customer.

The decision to pursue the ballot followed a gate meeting of the CWU members in the office, at which it was agreed to seek authority from the CWU postal executive in London to sanction the ballot.

David was suspended from duty earlier this year, and following an investigation under the Royal Mail discipline procedure was sacked.

Tony Lorton, CMU branch secretary, said: "The whole case centres on this member trying to help out a member of the public who was in the process of moving house.

"The customer had tried to put in place a re-direction of mail at his local Post Office, but due to a tariff increase they did not have any forms.

"He contacted David, who said he could help him out in the short term and set up a temporary re-direction while the customer set up the correct one and the paperwork then being sent on the Falmouth Delivery office once the fee had been paid, as normal."

He added that the Royal Mail said David had not followed the correct procedure, as the customer should have applied in a Post Office or online, even though there were no forms available at the time.

Following his sacking David lodged an appeal, which took place earlier this month and the result of which is not yet known.

The CWU has authorised the ballot, and the members in Falmouth are hoping that the ballot will put pressure on the Royal Mail to reduce the penalty and reinstate David. A timetable for any action is expected later in the week.