Thousands of baggage handlers at the UK's major airports, including Gatwick, could be balloted on strikes after pay talks broke down.

More than 4,000 workers employed by the services group Aviance at 17 airports could soon be voting for industrial action in protest at a rejected 2.5 per cent pay offer.

The Transport and General Workers' Union said the pay offer did not reflect the work which had been put in by staff to develop the company's business.

Brendan Gold, the union's national secretary for civil aviation, said: "Our people have worked really hard in tough market conditions and have earned a decent pay rise and share in the company's success.

"Not only do they look at the success of Aviance, they see the parent company Go-Ahead driving forward with profits from its bus, rail and other transport interests.

"Whilst the aviation market remains tough, all the indications are that robust recovery continues.

"Nobody sees this in clearer terms than our members, who are at the sharp end of delivering Aviance's success."