BUS drivers have voted in favour of strike action in a further blow to Sussex commuters.

After months of industrial dispute over staffing levels, members of one of the two unions whose members staff Brighton and Hove’s buses have agreed to withdraw their labour.

Unite the union has previously complained of bus drivers being "harassed and harangued" to do overtime, with mismanagement leading to staff shortages.

The ballot over a strike was confirmed by Unite - but the union denied it could take place as early as next week.

This means commuters will at least be spared the misery of a strike on both buses and trains simultaneously.

According to a Unite spokeswoman, members voted in favour of strike action, and of action short of a strike. More information is expected to be released today.

Martin Harris, managing director of Brighton and Hove buses, said: “There has been a ballot but hasn’t been any confirmation of industrial action.

“We are looking to talk to Unite representatives.”

A representative of the other union which represents bus drivers in the city, the GMB, told The Argus it also planned to ballot members over industrial action.