Up to 1, 000 workers are involved in the action, and south Wales area manager Ninian Le Blanc said there was now only one sticking point over disciplinary procedures.

BBC: Appeal for end to post strike

"The cases of the individual employees concerned have been through the full procedure, and following appeal, a decision has been taken to terminate their contracts, " said Royal Mail Area Manager Ninian Le Blanc.

BBC: Post box

"There is literally one sentence which divides us and surely we can thrash that out while employees are back in work earning money and carrying out their duties as normal, " said Mr Le Blanc.

BBC: Appeal for end to post strike

His first guest on 16 September 1984 was Adrian Sherwood, who provided its now legendary theme tune, and collaborator Keith Le Blanc, who had earlier launched the hip hop classic Malcolm X on the world via Tommy Boy.

BBC: Lancashire - On the Wire celebrates 25 years

The pair had set out on a popular summer hike known as Le Couloir des Bossons near Mont Blanc - the Europe Union's highest peak.

BBC: UK father and son found dead in Alps are named

Raymond Blanc, the chef-proprietor of Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, has catered for Valentine's Day in every restaurant he has owned in Britain for the past 35 years.

WSJ: Bruce Palling on Food: Where's the Love? Chefs Dread the V Word

"We don't do anything different, as Le Manoir is already a very romantic place, " Mr. Blanc says.

WSJ: Bruce Palling on Food: Where's the Love? Chefs Dread the V Word