Post Office workers battling to save branches in East Finchley and Swiss Cottage are set to strike this afternoon.

Members of the Communications Workers’ Union (CWU) will walk out at 2.30pm until the close of business at 5.30pm.

The offices in Viceroy Parade, High Road, East Finchley, and in Harben Parade, Finchley Road, Swiss Cottage, are among 70 “crown” offices – large high street branches owned and run directly by the Post Office – earmarked for closure.

The Post Office is proposing to replace them with franchises in other shops or supermarkets, in order to stem £40million in annual losses.

Last Saturday, CWU members hosted a stall outside the East Finchley branch and gathered more than 100 signatures from supportive members of the public in just two hours.