TWO council leisure centres face a series of strikes by half their lifeguards in a pay dispute starting on Saturday.

Unite the union has given notice of industrial action on six dates to Blackburn with Darwen Council.

It affects 13 of the 25 lifeguards at Blackburn with Darwen Sports and Leisure Centre and Darwen Leisure Centre.

The strikes, which follow the regrading of staff, are proposed for tomorrow, Tuesday, Saturday January 18, Tuesday January 21, Saturday January 25, and Tuesday January 28.

Denise Park, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s chief executive said an offer to continue talks had been made and promised that every effort is being made to ensure minimise disruption

Ms Park said: "We regret that these officers are unhappy with the outcome of their pay and grading assessment."

Cllr John Slater, council Conservative group leader, said: "The council needs to be very sensitive in these negotiations as we are talking about people's pay."