LAST ditch talks are being held in a bid to avert a Blackburn with Darwen Council workers pay strike, which is due to start next Wednesday.

Around 600 workers at Blackburn with Darwen council are expected to take part in the "unlimited" walkout on May 7 over controversial changes to town hall salaries.

The GMB and Unite unions are talking with chief executive Graham Burgess on Wednesday in a final attempt to avert the action, which they say would have a "catastrophic" impact on bin collection and street cleaning services.

The fallout follows the controversial job evaluation process, which has seen 5,500 council jobs regraded in an attempt to ensure equality between men's and women's salaries.

Under the current proposals, which have already been agreed by the council's ruling executive board, 1,266 workers are facing cuts to their salaries.

Council chiefs say 46 per cent of wages will increase and 30 per cent will stay the same.

The unions are demanding none of their members lose money, and the withdrawal of a letter telling staff they will be sacked if they don't agree to the changes.

GMB organiser Graham Coxon admitted it would take a "dramatic" departure from the council's policy for the strike to be averted.

He said: "It will be our intention to bring our members on an all-out strike until they put something on the table that will satisfy us.

"The chief executive has sent us a letter telling us he hopes we can come to an agreement.

"At this moment we are quite far apart but it's very difficult for me to say anything at this stage."

The two unions had balloted their members for the green light to go ahead with the unlimited strike, which they say could drag on until the council changes its stance.

Unison, the largest town hall union, will not be taking part after a lukewarm response to its ballot.

Mr Burgess was not available for comment. Responding to Friday's announcement of planned strike action, deputy chief executive Harry Catherall said he "sincerely hoped" strike action could still be avoided.