LECTURERS at Blackburn College are to vote on strike action over a dispute about teacher's pay.

The University and College Lecturer's Union (NATFHE) will begin balloting its members in the college later this month for strikes and other industrial action to back up their claim for a £3,000 pay rise.

The union declared the dispute after the college failed to pay lecturers the £3,000 award by March 21. The claim was lodged with the national employers' organisation, the Association of Colleges.

Union leaders say that lecturer's patience over declining pay and worsening working conditions has run out and morale is at an all time low.

A NATFHE spokesman at the College said: "Lecturers here are truly fed up, so there's a good chance they'll go for action. We're teaching more students, coping with mounting paperwork and working longer hours.

"The only thing that hasn't gone up is our pay. We do a similar job to schoolteachers in this community, yet the education miracles our members perform daily go unrewarded. It's hardly surprising that their patience is wearing thin."

The ballot for strike action will start on April 25, close on May 9 and the results will be announced on Thursday, May 10. Any resulting industrial action will begin with a one-day strike on May 22.