STAFF at a Royal Mail depot in Newport walked out today after an announcement that it will close - with some losing their jobs.

Furious staff were told today that Newport depot and cash centre, Maesglas Retail Park, where 62 staff are employed, will close during the next financial year.

The jobs are all to be moved out of Wales, probably to Bristol, in a widespread programme of closures around the UK.

The short walkout ended after talks between the staff, their union the CWU (Communication Workers' Union) and managers.

Graham Cater, chairman of the Royal Mail Group's advisory board for Wales said: "As part of a rationalisation, nine cash centre depots throughout the UK will close during this financial year and a further nine in the 2003 - 2004 financial year.

"Thirty-four jobs will transfer to other locations and staff whose jobs are disappearing will be managed according to national framework agreements with the unions.

"We were disappointed that the workers decided to stage an unofficial walk-out following the briefing this morning."

The depot handles the supply of cash and stock to post offices.