Baggage handlers and check-in staff at Gatwick may walk out at the height of the holiday season.

Staff are being reballoted on an improved national pay offer by airport services firm Aviance.

More than 300 members of the GMB union are expected to reject an offer of a 1.8 per cent pay increase and a £250 lump sum. A smaller offer was rejected by nine to one in an earlier vote.

South-East GMB organiser Gary Smith said airport staff could strike if there was no settlement.

He said: "Whether the improved offer is enough remains to be seen.

"We have no desire to disrupt people's holidays but our union is pressing for a fair deal for our members.

"We are determined to stamp out the long hours and low pay culture endemic at Gatwick."

The Transport and General Workers Union, which represents 345 Aviance staff at the airport, will also hold a ballot on the improved offer but stressed it would have to hold another vote on strike action.

Aviance, part of the Go Ahead group, employs 1,284 baggage and cargo handlers, check-in staff and administration staff at Gatwick.

Communications manager Chris Hudson said negotiations were continuing to try to head off industrial action.

He said: "We are very hopeful we will reach a resolution this time round.

"We are still getting round the table to negotiations and dialogue are still very much continuing."