CITY Council staff could be set to strike for the first time in more than 20 years as local government workers nationwide campaign for better pay.

Council chiefs say they are not pre-judging the results of national pay bargaining, but warn that if strikes do go ahead services will be affected.

Members of the three major local government unions, the TGWU, the GMB and Unison have are demanding a rise of £1,750 or six per cent, whichever is greater.

They claim that local government pay is well below levels in other parts of the public sector.

The increase would mean a minimum salary of £11,000 for local government workers.

The TGWU and GMB have already rejected an offer of a three per cent pay increase, which employers say is above the national average.

Lancaster City Council told the national negotiating team in February that it favours a higher percentage increase for lower paid workers.

It has budgeted for an increase in its wage bill of three and a half per cent.

A council spokesman said: "The council is unable to comment until we know the outcome of the ballot for industrial action but if some employees do decide to take industrial action it will inevitably have an effect on services.

How great that effect is depends on how many people take strike action."

Meanwhile, rail union ASLEF called off a strike on First North Western trains, scheduled for Monday.

Further strikes planned for the next two Mondays have also been called off after last minute talks brought a deal.