A UNION boss warned that cases were unlikely to reach court as a two-day strike started today.

Administrative staff were set to walk out of crown and magistrates' courts across East Lancashire in a dispute over pay.

But Ted Elsey, a national officer with the Public and Commercial Services Union said the action could have been prevented.

He said: "Management have forced us into this course of action and it could have easily have been avoided if they had talked to us instead of burying their heads in the sand and employing macho management techniques.

"We are on Jack Straw's doorstep, administrating justice for him which he wants to be as quick as possible. It's ironic then that the justice system will now slow down. It's inevitable that some cases will not make it to court."

The union has around 2,000 members in England and Wales and Mr Elsey said he was expecting strong support across the country for today's strike. Staff are unhappy at the latest pay deal which they say works out at just 3.3 per cent.

Their duties include preparing files for magistrates courts and dealing with witnesses and evidence in the crown courts. A postal ballot saw 82 per cent of East Lancashire union members vote for strike action. The worst disruption looks set for Burnley Crown Court, where 30 workers were expected to walk out.

The Crown Prosecution Service said it was "disappointed" by the action and said it would take every opportunity to resolve the situation.