BLACKPOOL and The Fylde College could be hit by a one-day strike on November 5.

All six unions in further education colleges have rejected a 2.3 per cent pay offer and there could now be joint industrial action following ballots this month.

The lecturers' union NATFHE has already voted to strike and they could be joined by Unison, the GMB and TGWU.

College principal Reg Chapman said he had every sympathy with the lecturers but the colleges needed more money from central government.

"The case is a strong one and an unanswerable one. When you compare with people who work in schools lecturers get 10- per cent less for doing a similar sort of job. For a number of years we have been wanting to make up the difference but the government needs to stump up the money."

He said that on strike days in the past there had been some disruption but many classes continued normally.

The unions are trying to pressure the Association of Colleges to resume talks to avoid disruption.

Unions claim that an increase in government funding for further education should allow an improved pay offer.

Barry Lovejoy, head of NATFHE's colleges department said: "We're confident of a positive vote for joint action.

"Members will be incensed at the AoC's derisory offer, particularly in light of the 3.5 per cent offer in higher education and the two-year deal in local government worth up to 7.8%."