Ambulance staff across Sussex will begin industrial action tomorrow in pursuit of better pay and conditions.

There will be a ban on voluntary overtime and crews will not be on stand-by at roadside locations or record journey times.

The three main unions will meet managers from the Sussex Ambulance Service NHS Trust at the arbitration service ACAS to restart negotiations.

Unions want a five per cent rise, a reduction in the working week, more annual leave and better pay for working overtime and unsocial hours.

The Sussex Ambulance Service NHS Trust has offered 3.6 per cent.

Colin Rhodes, of trade union Unison, said patient care would not be compromised during the dispute.