More than 500 telephone engineers in the North-East are expected to strike on Monday in protest over a controversial new performance bonus system.

It means that no phone repairs will be made should anything go wrong and no new lines will be fitted for 24 hours from midnight on Sunday.

Members of the Communication Workers' Union (CWU) are taking part in a national demonstration against British Telecom's policy of Self Motivated Teams (SMTs).

They voted to strike last month because they feel SMTs are unfair, divisive and open to abuse. CWU national officer Ian Cuthbert said: "It is in everyone's interest that this management scheme to divide us is dumped.

"Industrial action is the only way we can make them listen because we have tried everything else. "BT should realise the best way towards a more productive workforce is to have a happier one."

Pickets line are to be held at BT sites in Hartlepool, Redcar and Thornaby as well as other, as yet, unconfirmed sites in the North-East, with more strikes are planned for April 25 and 28.

A spokesman for BT said: "We are disappointed that the CWU has chosen to pursue this industrial action over the issue of the SMT bonus scheme and appeals for them to re-enter talks with the company rather than embarking on this futile strike."