STRIKING crane drivers got a boost on the picket line this morning (Monday, February 8) when comedy legend Roy 'Chubby' Brown stopped by to lend his support.

About 16 drivers from the Stockton branch of Ainscough Crane Hire have walked out as part of a national dispute over proposed new pay deal and zero hours contracts.

Stockton shop steward for the Unite union Stephen Waller explained Mr Brown happened to be passing but stopped the car and stood with the workers on the picket line.

Mr Waller said: "We were really pleased he agreed to come out and chat. Of course there were one or two jokes. He said; 'you lads probably need a crane to pick up your wage packets,' which really was a laugh.

"The backing for the strike was brilliant. It's 100 per cent cent solid."

The escalating series of strikes are affecting many building sites across the region, from new developments to ongoing construction projects, including at Wilton and Haverton Hill in Teesside.

Unite represents 500 crane operators and support staff members at the company's 30 UK depots, including its branches at Stockton and Washington in Tyne and Wear.

Members had voted in favour of strike action by 90 per cent, on an 83 per cent turnout, to reject a two-year pay deal offered by the company. The union said Ainscough had attempted to introduce zero hours contracts to the industry, undermining the existing collective agreement.

However an Ainscough spokesman has said the company are "absolutely not" attempting to replace full time crane operators with zero hours contracts. Rather the firm are setting up a small temporary labour pool of fully qualified personnel to assist in peak periods.