COUNCILS are bracing themselves for strike action by unions unhappy with a pay offer to council employees.

The one-day walk out by local council employees is scheduled for July 17, with Unison, GMB and TGWU demanding pay rises of six per cent having rejected an offer of three per cent.

Wiltshire County Council, along with all other councils in the National Employers Federation says it can only afford a three per cent rise.

Officers of Kennet District Council were due to have talks with representatives of the unions yesterday.

A spokesman said it was taking steps to minimise disruption to services, but was unable to say how it would be affected until after the meeting.

A North Wiltshire District Council spokesman said it did not know how many employees were planning to strike but there were contingency plans in place for non-union members to run essential services, in the event of a walk out.