Airport workers have voted to take strike action which could cause misery for thousands of holiday makers this summer.

Baggage handlers and check-in staff at Gatwick voted almost 9-1 in favour of strikes over pay after 1,500 workers rejected the offer of a 1.5 per cent increase plus a payment of £150.

The union has rejected the increase in pay plus the lump sum and is seeking a three per cent rise or a much bigger lump sum.

Airport bosses have now back with a new offer and the GMB union said it would be reballoting its members to see if they would accept a new deal.

The dispute involves Aviance, part of the Go Ahead group, which runs ground services at airports.

A spokesman for Gatwick said they were aware the ballot had taken place but were unable to comment as it was not confirmed strike action would take place.

GMB spokesman Alan Black said: "The company has come back with a revised offer of £250 lump sum and a 1.8 per cent pay increase from July 1.

"We are obliged by law to reballot. However, my view is with a majority of 9-1 it is unlikely any marginal improvement will alter the result.

"Clearly some people will say the company has moved its position but you are not going to get a lot.

"These people are low-paid workers. The average pay is around £17,500.

"We are keen to avoid taking action because of the disruption it causes but we have been in negotiations with this company for six months.

"We are trying to make sure the civil aviation industry is no longer a low-paid industry."

If strike action goes ahead it is likely to take place at the beginning of August causing chaos to travellers eager to get away for the bank holiday weekend.

The announcement comes just a day after council workers across the country carried out strikes calling for better pay.

A British Airways spokeswoman said the airline handled its own ground services and its flights would not be affected if the strike went ahead.