Refuse collectors in Mid Sussex have staged a strike over holiday pay.

They completed less than 20 per cent of the scheduled work load in the Burgess Hill, East Grinstead and Haywards Heath area before stopping work yesterday.

The crews emptied their lorries at Fairplace Hill tip, Burgess Hill, then returned to their depot in Bridge Road, Haywards Heath, while talks were held with bosses of contractor Sita.

Road sweepers and recyling refuse workers employed by the firm also took part in the stoppage.

The workers claim they have not been offered adequate "catch-up" payments for catching up with the backlog of Christmas work.

GMB union rep Declan MacIntyre said about 70 staff were involved and added: "Drivers have been offered £70 and loaders £61.90. We are looking for £140 across the board."

Talks were being held to try to resolve the issue. The workers say the amount they have been offered is nowhere near the amount Sita workers in Brighton and Hove are getting.

Mr MacIntyre said: "This is the first time that industrial action of this sort has been necessary here. Obviously whatever is offered is going to be put to members."

No one from Sita was prepared to comment on the dispute.

Binmen working for the firm in Brighton and Hove staged a four-hour sit-in in November over bonus payments.

They claimed the company had not paid them £250 bonuses promised when collection days were changed in the summer.

Sita workers in Brighton and Hove voted to call off a ballot on strike action last week, in a continuing dispute with the contractor.