POSTAL workers are calling for more support from big organisations after a report highlighted the threat to Royal Mail's one-price- goes-anywhere service.

The independent review, commissioned by ministers, warned the strategy to open the postal market to private sector competition had provided "no significant benefits" for consumers and smaller businesses. Instead, it represented a "substantial threat" to Royal Mail's future, it said.

Paul Clays, Communication Workers Union regional secretary, met with City of York MP Hugh Bayley to highlight local concerns about the impact of big competitors.

Royal Mail has seen private-sector rivals poach big business customers, and competition in the collection, sorting and transportation of bulk mail from businesses has expanded rapidly.

But there is virtually no competition to the Royal Mail in the "last mile" letter and parcel delivery.

The review team noted: "Currently, only Royal Mail has the network needed to provide a universal service which lies at the core of the postal services market in the UK."

Mr Clays warned this vital, same-cost delivery service throughout the UK was at risk, and it would hit local companies hard if it disappeared.

"We have businesses in York who post their products around the world. They would go out of business within months of the universal service going," he said.

"Competition is fine as long as everyone is playing on a level playing field.

"Only the Post Office has a universal service obligation. All the others don't have to deliver from Lands End to John 'O Groats for the same price."

Mr Bayley agreed it was vital to safeguard the service.

"The Royal Mail should continue to deliver to every address in the country. This universal delivery obligation won't survive if the Royal Mail faces totally free competition, because other companies will cherry pick deliveries to profitable places like towns and cities leaving Royal Mail with the high cost of delivering to rural areas.

"There are huge challenges facing Royal Mail and it is important to look to address them.

"People are using other forms of communication, such as email, and the number of letters sent by post is falling.

"Competition from other companies has added to this.

"I have noticed that a lot of my mail, including some from the council, is sent via other companies but delivered by Royal Mail. If public bodies like the council want to protect the Royal Mail they should use them."