Cabin crew at low-cost airline easyJet are voting on whether to strike over a pay dispute.

The Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU) believes members will agree to strike action, which is likely to cause disruption to flights from Gatwick.

The union said it had been trying to negotiate a pay rise since May but the firm wanted to link any increase to performance.

The TGWU also accused easyJet of refusing to recognise the union.

A ballot of about 110 baggage handlers working at Luton airport will close in September.

The result of voting by 300 cabin crew members at Gatwick, Luton, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast will be announced a few weeks later.

TGWU regional officer John Street said they were seeking a "substantial increase" on the 1.3 per cent pay rise offered.

He said: "Our members are supporting our call for strike action in pursuance of a realistic pay offer and to secure an agreement on recognition."

The company wants employees to be represented by trade union Amicus, which was recognised by Go.

Go was formally acquired by easyJet on August 1 and the two airlines are expected to share the same air operators certificate by the end of the year.

Ray Webster, easyJet chief executive, said: "We believe it is in the best interests of all our staff to be represented by a single union. We are a progressive, good employer. We have pro-actively gone out and recognised a union because we think unions have got a very positive role to play."