More strike chaos is looming over Brighton and Hove after two council departments began balloting for industrial action only days before they join 5,000 of their council colleagues on strike in a row about pensions.

More than 5,000 public service workers in the city are taking one-day action on Tuesday.

The walkout is expected to bring the city to near standstill as part of the UK's biggest bout of industrial unrest since the 1926 General Strike.

Members of nine unions, ranging from school dinner ladies and refuse collectors to sports centre staff and school assistants, voted overwhelmingly in favour of strikes in protest at planned changes to their pension scheme.

Now, refuse collecting staff and security officers are balloting for more industrial action in separate disputes, which could lead to more strike action across the city throughout the Easter period.

If they vote to strike, it could cause serious disruption to the city's refuse collection and force the closure of one of Brighton's main tourist attractions, The Royal Pavilion.

It would also be a serious blow to the start of the city's tourist season at Easter.

The GMB union started balloting the security and information officers who work in the Royal Pavilion on potential strike action yesterday about changes to working practices which affects how many hours they will work in one day.

Mark Turner, of the GMB, said: "We have been trying to reach a negotiated settlement over changes to our members' conditions of employment but local management have been intransigent in their position of not wanting to negotiate.

"This is the last resort for our members who have been responsible in wanting to settle this dispute."

The GMB is also balloting the staff who repair and service the vehicles which belong to the council's in-house refuse and recycling service, Cityclean.

The union says the row has erupted after staff, who service the vehicles, were told the council was withdrawing a £5,000 payment they have been getting for the past two years.

"The union claims the payment was given in recognition of the lack of highly-skilled vehicle fitters available throughout the country.

Mr Turner said: "We have been in discussions for a number of weeks to try to resolve the situation so the refuse and street cleansing service will not be disrupted.

Our members who work in the depot workshop maintaining the vehicles are highly skilled individuals. During the past two years the council has been paying this money to recognise those skills."

The ballots are being held now and the results of both will be announced on March 31.