Rubbish collectors threatening to strike over pay staged a demonstration outside the offices of Arun District Council in Littlehampton last night.

Street cleaners and refuse collectors waved banners and demanded a pay increase.

They were joined by family and friends in venting their anger at the council, which they say is putting its contract with their employers Onyx contract into crisis.

Gary Smith, of the GMB union, said: "We will be holding last-ditch talks this afternoon but, unless we reach a deal, our members will reluctantly walk out on strike at 6.30am tomorrow.

"Arun District Council can help stop this strike. They simply need to pick up the phone and talk to us."

About 90 workers from the Onyx depot in Littlehampton are demanding to be paid £6 an hour, a £1 pay increase.

Onyx says it is losing money on its contract with the council and cannot afford the rise.

Arun has refuted the claims the contract is in crisis. It says it is working so well it is investing an extra £300,000.