DOZENS of East Lancashire learner drivers face having their driving tests cancelled on Tuesday as examiners stage a strike over pay.

Test centres at Nelson, Blackburn, Preston, and Chorley, are set to have picket lines as examiners and administrative staff take part in the national strike.

Examiners are employed by the government's Driving Standards Agency (DSA), but want their pay rates to be closer to Department of Transport staff.

Around 20 examiners in East Lancashire could take action, and with each examiner handling up to seven tests a day the number of tests affected could top 100. However, pupils booked for exams are being urged to attend test centres, in case some examiners do report for work.

The action is being led by the Public and Commercial Services Union. Spokesman Paul Williams said: "Our members are working flat-out, but their rates have dropped around £3,000 below Department of Transport staff, who start on almost £20,000 per year. We don't want this gap to widen."

Some self-employed East Lancashire driving tutors say they sympathise with the action and blame poor pay for a national shortage of examiners, which creates long waiting lists for tests.

Blackburn tutor Ian Whalley, 30, of the AA Driving School, said none of his pupils would be affected, but he felt examiners had a fair claim.

He said: "They start on about £17,500, which is not a great deal. I think they deserve more. Instructors can make £30-£40,000 a year. We're currently charging between £18 and £20 an hour. Instructing is a good job, which lets you meet lots of people and be your own boss."

Rob Wilcock, 53, of Blackburn's AAA Motoring School, also sympathised. He accepted the strike could be disruptive, but hoped pupils would receive alternative test dates soon.

He said: "The DSA is pushing examiners to industrial action. It wants everyone, including us, to take more tests to remain qualified. I've taught for 15 years."

A DSA spokeswoman said: "Negotiations are ongoing, but we're not sure how many examiners will be involved."

She said examiners could earn between £17,500 and £25,000, depending on grades, but there were some higher levels. She added that cancelled tests would be re-booked as soon as possible.