PRESTON and South Ribble look set to be hard hit by strike action during 'the summer of discontent' with disruptions affecting Her Majesty's jubilee visit.

Negotiations between the union Aslef and executives at First North Western took place on Wednesday and continue today in an attempt to prevent rail strikes scheduled for Saturday July 27, Sunday July 28, Sunday August 4, Monday August 5, Sunday August 11 and Monday August 12.

The Queen will visit Preston on August 5 arriving at the station in the royal train after closing the Commonwealth Games in Manchester the evening before.

A spokesman for the Lord Lieutenant confirmed that the industrial action would cause problems for visitors coming to see Her Majesty -- should the strike go ahead.

Meanwhile, the emergency services are also threatening action as union officials from the Association of Professional Ambulance Personnel (APAP) met with Lancashire Ambulance's chief executive, David Hill, yesterday (Wednesday) in an attempt to meet an agreement over conditions for accident and emergency, and patient transport staff.

Union spokesman, David Redman said after the meeting: "They've made us enough of an offer for us to reconsider strike action, but not for us to rule it out altogether."

Adding to the public inconvenience, council staff have a second walkout planned for Wednesday August 14 as local government workers rally for a six per cent pay rise after rejecting the employers' offer of three per cent.

Chief executive of Preston City Council, Jim Carr said: "If we have to suffer another national industrial strike I hope that the cooperation of the union continues at a local level."

Councillor Howard Gore, leader of South Ribble Borough Council said: "We hope to have all the core services up and running. I sincerely hope that this is resolved soon."