HSBC bank workers in Swindon could be on strike on the Friday before the Bank Holiday weekend in a dispute over pay.

Members of Amicus voted by 68 per cent in favour of a walk-out in protest at the imposition of a pay deal which the union said would lead to a wage cut for thousands of workers.

The stoppage will be held on May 27, the same day as the bank's annual meeting.

Amicus said that HSBC branches will be closed for four days.

But the bank reacted angrily to the vote, saying that the number of staff who actually voted in the ballot represented just two out of 10 workers clerical members, and about one in 25 UK staff.

It also claimed that just one per cent of staff had no pay rise and no bonus.

In Swindon there are HSBC branches in Camdale Parade in Gorse Hill, Canal Walk in the town centre, Marlborough Road in Old Town, and the Delta business park in Westlea.

There is also a branch in Wootton Bassett.