WORKERS at one of Burnley's biggest employers are to strike in a dispute over pay.

Staff at aircraft parts makers Aircelle will walk out after the company failed to improve an offer of a below-inflation 2.5 per cent rise.

Negotiations have been ongoing between union representatives and company bosses at the Bancroft Road site, where around 600 people work, but deadlock has resulted in the walk-out due for lunchtime tomorrow.

Around 300 staff are expected to take part in the action and further strikes will be held in the following weeks unless a solution is reached.

Staff have already been working to an overtime ban.

Human resources director at the firm, Anne Harkin, said the industrial action was unfortunate but the company was doing all it could to resolve the situation.

She added: "We have been through some challenging times over the last few years and only came back into profit last year, but through those times we took the view that we would continue to invest in our employees and the site in Burnley rather than make cutbacks.

"This pay offer of 2.5 per cent has been rejected and we are now at the stage of strike action.

"We are still negotiating and talking to the union because in this situation neither side wins. We are working hard to come up with an offer that will safeguard the business but give employees what they want." Regional officer for Amicus Dave Gorton said: "The pay offer from the company has not met our expectations and therefore we are taking this strike action.

"Our members are also very unhappy that the company has employed contractors and has given them a loyalty bonus which has not been given to some other staff who have been there for up to 20 years."

Aircelle formerly Hurel Hispano is one of the leading players in the worldwide nacelle market, hubs for engine aircraft. A subsidiary of the French SAFRAN group, it has an annual turnover of approximately 536 million euros and a workforce of 2,600.