Journalists at Newcastle Chronicle and Journal Ltd are planning to strike over pay.

National Union of Journalists members at the company, publishers of The Journal, Evening Chronicle, Sunday Sun and Herald & Post series, have voted to stage two 24-hour strikes.

They will take place on on Thursday, July 25 and Thursday, August 1.

The decision follows talks between NC&J and the union.

The union says its members have had to take on additional work following recent redundancies and they plan to picket the company's Groat Market office.

Earlier action was averted when both sides agreed to go to the conciliation service ACAS, but no agreement was reached.

The union, which has more than 100 members among the 170-strong editorial workforce, is asking for a four per cent increase across the board.

Originally, NC&J put forward a two per cent pay offer, and later also offered to further increase trainee wages and raise the minimums - offers which the union declined.

NC&J father of chapel Will Mapplebeck said: "Regretfully, the members were faced with no choice but to vote for industrial action.

"We would still welcome any approach from Newcastle Chronicle & Journal management."

NC&J managing director Steve Brown said: "Every effort will be made to avoid strike action next week, but the company has made it clear that there is no further room for manoeuvre.

"It is our intention to publish as normally as possible should a strike take place."

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