POSTAL protesters posed with a 20ft pillar box in Torbay yesterday.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) stopped off in South Devon as part of a tour from John O'Groats to Land's End to highlight members' fears about privatisation of the Royal Mail.

To raise awareness of their concerns, they brought a giant inflatable pillar box to Paignton Green and Torquay's Princess Gardens.

Controversial plans to part-privatise the Royal Mail were put on hold by the Government in June.

The Government's Bill, opposed by many Labour MPs, was due to go before Parliament before the summer break, but Lord Peter Mandelson said it would not happen until 'later'.

Phil Chadwick, CWU branch secretary, said: "Make no mistake, the Government are continuing to ignore public opinion in their efforts to privatise Royal Mail with the highest bidder.

"Royal Mail will then become beholden to the commercial interests of shareholders. There is currently strike action going on across many parts of the UK.

"We are really pleased with the support we received from the public and holidaymakers who signed the petition and we are very displeased to hear the privatisation of the Royal Mail is still very much on the cards.

"It was a very positive event in Torbay."