ROYAL Mail has committed more than £25 million to protect its staff during the coronavirus crisis following strikes across the country, including Winchester.

The company has begun handing out hand sanitiser, soap, cleaning equipment, along with personal protective equipment (PPE).

Last month staff at the Winnall Manor Road delivery office walked out over unsafe working conditions and concerns over a lack of PPE being provided by the organisation.

Employees returned to work after they were given assurances that the protective equipment would be organised for them.

Shane O’Riordain, managing director of marketing, regulation and corporate affairs, Royal Mail said: “We have committed over £25 million to buying equipment such as hand sanitiser, disposable gloves and other additional protective measures to keep our people safe as they keep the UK connected during the ongoing lockdown.“This includes distributing half a million bottles of hand sanitiser through our operation in recent weeks. As well as increasing supplies of hand sanitiser, soap, cleaning equipment and disposable gloves, we have used this significant cash sum to source face masks for those who want them.”