BUS drivers could soon be on all-out strike in a dispute over a 27p an hour pay rise.

Drivers at Stagecoach Ribble, which includes Burnley and Pendle Transport, have already held a series of one-day strikes which have hit passengers, and union leaders are considering an escalation of the action.

Transport and General Workers' Union representative Roy Husband said the dispute centred on the union's pay claim for £5.50 an hour for senior drivers.

"The senior rate was £5.03, and then in April the firm increased that to £5.23 with the annual rise they imposed which we hadn't agreed," said Mr Husband.

Another one-day strike is being planned for next week but the T&G union has not yet notified Stagecoach Ribble of the exact day.

Drivers have already held six one-day strikes but union leaders admit they appear to be having little effect in furthering their pay claims.

They argue that colleagues in other regions are on better pay rates than them.

Union members will be asked to consider agreeing to an increase in action at their branch meetings over the coming week.

Stagecoach Ribble has said that the pay rise it has given drivers cannot be increased.

Managing director Mike Chambers said: "The company has written to each of its drivers confirming that the final offer cannot be improved upon and very much hoping that many more do not take part in the planned industrial action."