More than a million council workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland were voting today on whether to take strike action over pay.

Union leaders have set a date of July 17 for the first 24-hour walkout if the workers back industrial action.

Local authority from social workers to school caretakers have already rejected the employers' "final" offer of three per cent.

Unions are seeking a rise of six per cent, or £1,750 a year, whichever is greater.

The ballot will end in early July and if the strike goes ahead it will be the first national action in local government since the Winter of Discontent in 1979.

Most council workers have considered leaving their jobs in the past year because they feel undervalued and poorly paid, a survey reveals today.

Public sector union Unison said its poll of 4,500 workers highlighted the recruitment "crisis" in local government, mainly because of low pay.

Almost seven out of ten workers admitted they had considered leaving their current job, with many actively looking for a new post.

The main reasons included feeling undervalued, poor pay, lack of promotion prospects and lack of resources.