A postal union has warned the storyline could spark copycat raids on post offices, and has called on Yorkshire Television to cancel the hour-long special.

The episode features the death of village postmaster Vic Windsor, played by Alun Lewis, who dies after banging his head in a struggle with tearaway Billy Hopgood, who breaks into the post office with son Andy.

But the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters believes producers are putting the safety of its members at risk.

General secretary Colin Baker said: "I think the makers of Emmerdale are being grossly irresponsible.

The Post Office believes Emmerdale's special will lead to more raids

"I feel a storyline like this in a major prime-time soap is bound to lead to a spate of copycat post office raids. Postmasters across the country are under constant threat and this storyline will not help them at all.

"The death is simply part of a ratings war. I do not believe it enhances the programme at all and I do not tbink the storyline of a raid on a post office should be aired on television."

He added the union only found out about Yorkshire's plans when producers consulted the union for advice.

"They asked us for information on how to stage the perfect robbery. We were stunned by their request and couldn't believe their effrontery. Unsurprisingly, we refused to help," he said.

Post Office chief executive John Roberts has also attacked the show. He said: "Past experience has shown that whenever a robbery is shown on television a spate of copycat incidents follows."

Post Office staff who have been confronted by raiders also joined in the criticism.

Kantilal Koria, from West Sussex - who won an award for his courage in a raid - said: "To be confronted as I was by an armed robber and violently threatened is a terrifying ordeal to go through, and certainly nor one which you would expect to re-live whilst watching television."

But Yorkshire has no plans to axe the programme, and it insists the story has been handled in a responsible manner.

The company's director of programmes, John Whiston, said: "We have taken care to ensure the crime is in no way glamourised.

"The crime itself is fruitless and the perpetrator is swiftly caught and brought to justice having been turned in being his own son. If the storyline has a message, it is, very clearly, that crime does not pay.