BUS services across Newcastle and Northumberland could be set for major disruption as hundreds of Arriva drivers and engineers ballot for pay strikes, their union, Unite warned today.

The highest paid of the 330 workers have been offered an increase worth 10 per cent overall, but other staff have received “considerably lower” wage offers, according to the transport union.

It stressed that the two-week vote, which opened to employees based at depots in Ashington, Blyth and Walkergate earlier this week, could lead to walkouts after Easter next month.