City's refuse workers on strike

About 250 refuse workers have begun a week-long strike in the city

About 250 refuse workers have started a week-long strike in Brighton and Hove.

Members of the GMB union began working to rule on Thursday, and then stopped work completely at 0530 GMT on Monday.

The industrial action follows a dispute over pay proposals which union members say will see their wages cut by up to £8,000 each.

The union balloted members last month over the strike action. At the time, Brighton Council said it was committed to fair pay and had improved its offer.

On Friday night, the union said it was too late to call off the action, even if Brighton Council came back with a revised pay offer over the weekend.

'Comprehensive plans'

It also said further planned stoppages could see no waste collected in Brighton and Hove this month.

Brighton Council said it had plans to deal with any disruption but it still hoped the strike could be averted.

On Friday, a statement from Brighton and Hove City council said: "The council has comprehensive plans to deal with any ongoing disruption to waste services and we would implement those should it become necessary."

The authority also pledged to keep residents informed about how the council will deal "with any serious disruption".

"However, we remain hopeful this will not be necessary and that talks will resume with the GMB union so that the proposed strike can be averted," it added.

People in Brighton and Hove comment on the refuse collectors' strike