A SHOW of hands at a meeting of union workers at BAT's Southampton cigarette factory indicates staff are likely to reject a revised pay offer.

Union bosses plan to hold an official ballot of their 400 members ahead of a planned walkout over pay on Wednesday, November 3.

BAT has tabled a two-year pay settlement, delivering a minimum 5.6 per cent pay increase.

Amicus union representative Mike Budd said: "The show of hands was about 95 per cent against. I am anticipating that there will be pickets outside the factory on the day."

A BAT spokesman said: "We hope employees accept this offer and cancel their threat to strike."