Kent could be set for a summer of discontent as council and school workers threaten to strike.

Bins could be left uncollected and children could miss extra teaching support as 600,000 staff nationally battle for better pay conditions.

Unison members - of which there are more than 1,300 in Kent - voted on Monday by 55 per cent to 45 per cent to strike after a rejecting a below-inflation pay rise of 2.45 per cent.

Simon King, Unison's Kent regional officer, said: "Offering our people, the vast majority who are the lowest paid in this country 2.45 per cent in the current circumstances is not on.

"It’s all right for the Government to bang on about restraining public sector pay but how is it they never take to task the very well paid people getting huge bonuses in London?

"But our members the lowest paid in the land are expected to restrain the little that they ask for. I think it’s immoral and ridiculous for the Government to suggest it.”

The pay dispute also involves housing benefit workers, rent collectors, school catering staff, and surveyors.

The Kent local authorities that could be affected include Gravesham, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks and Medway.

Medway has the most Unison members (1,097) while Gravesham has 224 and Tunbridge Wells has 80. Sevenoaks failed to respond to our query on Tuesday. All were keen to stress it was not certain all would go on strike.

William Benson, director of change and business support at Tunbridge Wells borough council, said: "The council has a relatively low proportion of staff who are union members and any industrial action would be unlikely to impact on frontline services."

The union met on Tuesday to decide what action to recommend to its industrial action committee on Friday. But it could mean a two-day walk-out on July 16 and 17.

Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said: "This is a solid vote for action and a clear message to the local government employers that our members are willing to fight for a decent pay rise.

"They are fed up and angry that they are expected to accept pay cut after pay cut, while bread and butter prices go through the roof. "