STRIKE action across west and north Wiltshire closed schools and libraries and left rubbish bins uncollected.

Unison members at Wiltshire County Council, West Wiltshire District Council and North Wiltshire District Council stayed away from their desks on Wednesday in support of a six per cent pay claim.

Pickets were out at County Hall in Trowbridge where a mass rally was held at midday.

Union regional spokesman Helen Eccles said: "It went very well and was very well supported. Members had banners at County Hall asking the public to beep if they supported the strike, and people were beeping as they went by.

"People were really supportive and said they felt the workers did deserve more pay and recognition of the work they do."

She said the employers were meeting today (Friday) to discuss the ramifications of the strike.

She said: "Across the country three-quarters of a million people were on strike. We hope now that the employers will come back to the negotiating table to discuss an improved pay offer."

Staff at West Wiltshire District Council stayed at home, and rubbish collections were badly hit by striking staff at North Wiltshire District Council.

Libraries in Bradford on Avon and Chippenham were closed, and Warminster's mobile library was affected. Trowbridge reference library was able to offer a partial service.

The strike closed day care centres for people with learning difficulties and disabilities, including the Ashton Street Resource Centre and West Wiltshire Community Centre in Trowbridge, Beckford Centre in Warminster and the Middlefield Centre in Chippenham.

Schools also had to close when catering staff and teaching assistants joined the strike action.

The union maintained cover in services where withdrawing it would have put lives at risk.

A county council spokesman said 210 staff joined the strike, but services had been maintained.

She said: "Strike action has not had a significant impact on our ability to provide services to local people. Inevitably some services were affected, however the vast majority of council staff turned up for work as normal."

Chief executive Keith Robinson, said: "I hope the national unions will get back around the table to agree a way forward so another day of disruption can be avoided. The action taken today does not change the fact that the unions claim is simply not affordable."