UNIONS have warned there is a realistic prospect of schools and other public buildings being forced to close during a national day of strike action.

The country's biggest union Unison has sent notices to local authorities across the region informing them of a one-day stoppage on July 17.

Council workers are in dispute with their employers and have rejected a three per cent pay offer, seeking six per cent.

Members from Unison, the GMB and the Transport and General Workers Union voted to strike, earlier this month.

Last night, GMB regional organiser Colin Smith said it was "extremely likely" that schools would close on the day.

About 15,000 of its members are expected to strike in the North-East with workers including teaching assistants, school secretaries, caretakers and school dinner staff taking action.

Town halls, sports centres and housing and rent offices could also be forced to shut as pickets turn out in force.

Mr Smith said: "We are all systems go and facing no alternative to strike action, because of the employers' unwillingness to negotiate."

Unions are expected to agree to special dispensation for crucial services such as residential care for the elderly and vulnerable

The national strike is set to be the first since 1989.

with parallels already being drawn with the so-called Winter of Discontent ten years earlier which saw ambulance drivers and even grave diggers out on strike over pay.