BURIALS and cremations are to be put on hold when council employees mount a one-day strike next week.

Three trade unions -- Unison, the TGWU and the GMB -- which represent the majority of local government employees, have called their members out on strike following a recent ballot over pay.

The first day of industrial action will be on Wednesday with further action possibly following in the future.

Council services will be severely disrupted on the day of the strike, although some will remain unaffected.

Both Burnley and Padiham markets will open as usual and refuse collection services will operate as usual.

The council offices will be closed for personal and telephone enquiries, although Housing Benefit payments will no be affected.

Padiham Leisure Centre and Gannow Pool will both be closed as will the swimming pool at the Thompson Centre in Burnley. However other sports and coaching activities should operate as usual.

Burnley Town Hall, Parker Lane offices, Nicholas Street offices and Padiham Town Hall will not be open to the public, however the Padiham Town Hall function room will be open on Wednesday evening for its usual events.

Parks and Ranger Services, including burials and cremations will not be operating on Wednesday, though they will offer a limited service involving cleaning children's playgrounds.

An out of hours emergency line will be available on the usual council number of 01282 425011, though council bosses are stressing this should only be used in a genuine emergency.

Burnley and Padiham Community Housing have also issued two lines for tenants to call on 01282 463800 for repairs and 01282 664730 or 664731 for general enquiries.

John Booth, personnel manager at Burnley Borough Council, said: "This is a national pay dispute and the council regrets any inconvenience to the public. Normal services will be resumed on Thursday."