Drivers at Menzies Distribution could strike in the next two weeks, causing severe disruption to the delivery of newspapers to UK newsagents and railway stations nationwide.

A pay change, which took effect in April, means that drivers, packers and pickers now receive £7.25 a hour - just 5p more than the recently revised minimum wage for over-25s.

Additionally, workers now receive basic pay for bank holidays, while double-time pay and time off in lieu for seven of the eight bank holidays have been done away too.

As a result, 86 per cent of 300 Unite members have voted in favour of strike action, while 91 per cent for industrial action short of a strike.

Ian Tonks, Unite national officer for the graphical, paper and media sector, said there was strong anger at the “pitiful” pay offer.

“Unite hopes that the threat of strike action will focus the minds of the management and that they get around the negotiating table and put forward a pay award that truly reflects the hard work that our members do 24/7.”

Menzies Distribution uses 1,750 vehicles to deliver 7.4 million newspapers and magazines every day, and any strike action would affect 16 of Menzies’ main distribution centres dotted around England and Scotland.

A spokesman for Menzies Distribution told MotorTransport.co.uk that discussions with the union were ongoing but they were optimistic that industrial action could be avoided.

No potential strike date has been confirmed as yet.