HAMPSHIRE County Council workers have voted overwhelmingly to reject a new equal pay deal.

In a ballot held by Unison, the main public sector union, 79 per cent of members rejected the new grades and salaries proposed by the council.

Unions are due to meet council chiefs tomorrow to decide the next step.

A Unison official said: "Quite clearly our members don't like what is on offer.''

The controversial pay deal will see up to 5,000 of Hampshire County Council's 38,000 staff, mostly men, see their salaries reduced over coming years.

For the full story, see the Daily Echo today