Postal workers union leader Bob Cullen has pledged to keep fighting for his members despite ending up in hospital.

The 58-year-old suffered an acute angina attack after an incident on Friday as he escorted sacked worker and fellow union official Steven Gill from the building.

But he told the Oxford Mail: "I hope to be back working in the next few days. I'll be there until they carry me out in a box."

The incident which led to Mr Cullen being hospitalised centred on suspended worker, Steven Gill, being called in by management to discover his fate following an investigation into an incident which happened in July.

Mr Gill was told he was being dismissed which led to tempers flaring and ultimately Mr Cullen being taken to hospital after reporting the incident to police.

He was allowed home over the weekend after it was revealed he had not suffered a heart attack and, pending further tests, should be allowed back to work later this week.

The Oxfordshire branch of the Communication Workers Union immediately voted for a fast track ballot for industrial action which has now been given the green light by the union's London headquarters.

Mr Gill's suspension sparked five days of wildcat strike action in July but workers have now chosen the official route to protest against his dismissal. He is set to take his case to the National Appeals Panel.

A second worker, John Doran, a postman for 25 years, was also suspended at the same time and will find out his fate today.

Police spokesman Kate Smith said no arrest had been made in connection with Friday's incident.

Royal Mail spokesman Richard Hall said an investigation into what happened to Mr Cullen but had been launched but declined to reveal whether the manager concerned had been suspended.

Meanwhile, another day of national strike action is set to go ahead next week.

The move comes after talks between the CWU and the Royal Mail broke down over the radical re-organisation of the service and a proposed 2.5 per cent pay rise for staff.