Ambulance workers have voted to reject a pay offer in a move which could lead to industrial action if it is not improved.

Sussex Ambulance Service staff told management the 0.6 per cent offer, on top of a 3.6 per cent rise given in October, was not enough.

Managers had also offered an extra two days' leave for staff with ten or more years' service.

In a ballot on the offer, staff rejected it by three votes to two.

The 600 members suspended industrial action on February 25 after further talks were agreed.

But if management does not meet union representatives again to discuss a further offer, industrial action will be taken.

The first wave of action could come within two weeks and could include overtime bans and the withdrawal of shift cover for spare vehicles.

Workers' demands include a five per cent rise, three additional days off for long-serving staff and enhanced payments for working unsocial hours.

Duncan Jones, branch secretary for public sector union Unison, said: "We are trying to convene a meeting with management in the next couple of days but they don't seem keen to meet.

"If the offer is not improved we will look at the reinstating of the industrial action which was suspended in February.

"We are making progress in the right direction, but the offer isn't enough."