MANAGERS and governors were left to guard three Durham jails today, as prison officers staged a strike over pay.

Thousands of inmates from Frankland, Low Newton and Durham prisons were locked down in their cells, after guards walked out at 7am.

At Durham jail, the Prison Officers' Association claimed almost all of its 400 members joined the action.

Around 120 formed a picket line outside the main entrance, before being moved to the road outside.

About 15 managers and the governor were left in charge.

The industrial action comes after the union pulled out of a no-strike agreement with the Government and balloted members - with a 9-1 vote in favour of a walkout.

Officers are unhappy at Government plans to introduce a 2.5 per cent pay rise, recommended by an independent pay review body, in two stages.

They say a 1.5 per cent rise in April and a further one per cent in November reduces the value of the award, making it a below-inflation pay increase.

Colin Moses, the chairman of the Prison Officers' Association who used to work at Low Newton prison, said: "The morale of staff is at rock bottom and the decision of the Government to stage the pay award was the straw that broke the camel's back.

"Surely we should be treated as well, if not better, than the prisoners we look after."

"The union is carrying out the rights of its members and the right of every worker to withdraw their labour."

However, the Ministry of Justice said the walkout is a breach of the Industrial Relations Act and was today considering taking legal action against the union.

Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary, called the strike "wholly unjustifiable".

Charles Bushell, chairman of the Prison Governors' Association, said he was confident the Prison Service would get an injunction stopping and preventing further strikes.

Mr Bushell admitted prisoners would become angry and mealtimes would cause problems.

Prison officers are expected to return to work at 7am tomorrow.

The strike comes as overcrowding in North-East jails is increasing, along with attacks on officers and other inmates.

Do you have friends or relatives inside prisons in the North-East? What is the situation like today? Call reporter Stuart Arnold on 01325-381313.