ROYAL Mail workers are facing disciplinary action after they played a spoof Britney Spears song at work.

Bosses are looking at the behaviour of some staff at the Royal Mail delivery office in Slatyford Lane, Newcastle, after they were given a communal iPod to brighten up their day.

The disciplinary issue centres around workers playing an "offensive" joke version of the Britney Spears' song, Oops! . . . I Did it Again.

Post Office bosses confiscated the £300 iPod, which had been introduced as part of a Royal Mail scheme to improve the workplace.

The 100-strong Newcastle workforce were each allowed to put a few favourite tracks on the iPod so they could listen to their own music while sorting the mail.

But problems developed after the spoof Britney track was heard by bosses.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: "A disciplinary issue is being investigated at this delivery office and we cannot comment. Royal Mail has an absolute policy of respect for all, and total opposition to any form of harassment."

But staff are furious, and one worker, who did not wish to be named, said: "We're up in arms about the destruction of our beloved communal iPod."