UNION officials at BPI's Stockton plant have announced three days of strikes will begin next week.

Up to 180 workers at the plastics factory will take part in three one-day strikes, starting on December 1.

Workers had already agreed to start an overtime ban, which comes into effect this Friday.

Union officials said bosses at the Teesside plant, also known as Visqueen, had requested a meeting to discuss a long-running pay dispute.

Earlier this month, workers voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action after bosses rejected demands for a three per cent pay increase and imposed a 2.5 per cent rise.

Joe Keith, of the Transport and General Workers Union, which represents the majority of the workers, said: "We have decided to begin strike action.

"The company has been informed and, unless there is a change of line, then the industrial action will go ahead."

The three one-day strikes will take place on the December 1, 5 and 7, and will each last 24 hours.

Mr Keith said the dates had been chosen to accommodate the workers complex shift system.

The strike will be the first in Visqueen's history.

Peace talks between management and union officials broke down a month ago, with BPI bosses saying high raw materials costs made it impossible for the company to accept workers' pay demands.