PICKET lines are expected outside East Lancashire’s town halls as a one-day strike disrupts council services tomorrow.

Six trade unions will take national industrial action over pay and pensions.

Burnley, Hyndburn and Rossendale boroughs have now warned of potential disruption.

Dozens of schools will also be affected as teachers and support staff join the ‘Day of Action’.

The action by local government unions Unison, Unite and the GMB will be joined by civil servants in the Public and Commercial Services Union, the National Union of Teachers and the Fire Brigades’ Union.

As well as picket lines, there will be rallies in Preston, Liverpool, Manchester and Chester.

UNISON members in local authorities and schools will spearhead the action over low pay and pensions. North West head of local government John Lewis said: “A decent pay rise for local government and school support staff is long overdue. People don’t go on strike lightly but our members see no alternative.

“This will be the biggest day of industrial action in the public sector in living memory.”

A Hyndburn Council spokeswoman said: “Services such as general waste collection, street cleansing, Accrington Market, and the Great Harwood and Accrington leisure centres are expected to remain open.

“Some will be reduced and the council’s contact centre, including the main switchboard, will be closed. Accrington Town Hall reception will be closed, although our Scaitcliffe House office should be open.”

Burnley Council’s resources director Helen Seechurn said waste collection, street cleansing, Burnley Markets, leisure centres and Towneley Hall would be unaffected.

The annual Burnley Community Sports Awards will go ahead.

She warned the council’s contact centre, the main switchboard and Burnley Town Hall reception would close.

A Rossendale Council spokeswoman said there could be disruption to some services.

Lancashire County, Blackburn with Darwen and Ribble Valley councils hope to maintain key services but Pendle Council offices will close and most of the borough’s services will be unavailable.