A ONE-DAY strike called by tanker drivers threatens to disrupt supplies of fuel to forecourts next week.

The strike next Tuesday, which has been called by the Transport and General Workers' Union, will hit hundreds of Jet garages.

The dispute centres on Conoco's plans to contract its fuel delivery out to a distribution company. A strike ballot among Conoco's 130 drivers showed in 102 in favour of strike action and eight against.

The union said it had not been given the guarantees it sought for the future funding of pensions, profit-related pay and share option scheme for the drivers.

One of the five UK Conoco depots to be targeted is at Jarrow, South Tyneside.

The union's national secretary for transport, Danny Bryan, said: "The message from the drivers was very clear following the ballot. Their determination is also very clear."

Conoco has expressed its dismay at the call for a strike while negotiations are still under way. Dave Blakemore, general manager for marketing, said: "Strike action is not in the interests of either the company or the union's members."