A PLANNED strike by museum workers today will not affect one of the most popular attractions in the region, it was confirmed last night.

The National Railway Museum (NRM) in York will be open despite the 24-hour work stoppage over a pay claim.

Locomotion, the NRM's sister attraction in Shildon, County Durham, will also be unaffected by the industrial action.

Members of the Prospect and Public and Commercial Services trade unions have voted for the strike in pursuit of their pay claim against the National Museum of Science and Industry (NMSI), of which the NRM is part.

They have rejected an offer of a 2.5 per cent increase from management, who say that is all they can afford.

The NMSI says it has had to bear the cumulative impact of a sustained reduction in real terms in its funding, which has not kept pace with inflation, and that it also faces additional costs because of the introduction of free entry to the museums.

It says it understands the reasons behind the day of industrial action but is unable to improve on the offer and provide the settlement it would wish to give its staff.

The deputy head of the NRM, Janice Murray, said: "Only a proportion of our staff are involved in the dispute, and following a complete evaluation of the situation, we are pleased to be able to alleviate any doubts by verifying that the NRM will be open as normal."