Somerset

Royal Mail managers have been sent to Bridgwater to cover the strikers' work, which was set to last from Friday to yesterday.

130 workers at the sorting office are on strike over plans to reorganise working practices. One postal worker on thisisthewestcountry.co.uk commented that he "would lose £500-£600 a year if we agree to the pay and changes."

They were protesting against the council auctioning off the publicy owned farm next month as part of spate of similar sell-offs.

Balham Hill's farm shop was scrubbed down during the occupation and started selling milk, meat and vegetables, and then as more animals arrived, they were put out to graze as the occupation continued.

One local said: