HUNDREDS of workers at BAT's Southampton cigarette factory are to strike in a row over pay.

Union members voted to walk out by a majority of 195 to 119 after they were offered a below-inflation pay offer of 2.6 per cent by bosses.

They backed action short of a strike by more than four to one, with 254 demanding some form of industrial action compared to 61 against.

And at a meeting yesterday union members agreed to stage a series of one-day strikes commencing as soon as possible, although no dates have yet been set.

An Amicus spokesman said pickets on the gates were "more than likely" because it was all fed-up staff felt they had left. He added that pay negotiations with bosses of the 26-acre Regent's Park plant had been like "running into a brick wall".

A BAT spokesman expressed disappointment at the vote and said the company had worked hard in negotiations to come up with a good offer.

The blue chip company has a history of paying good salaries and the average wage of the 1,200 workers on site, of whom about a third belong to Amicus, is roughly £26,000.

The Southampton factory is the company's only UK production facility and makes brands like Dunhill, State Express 555 and Rothmans International for export outside the European Union to markets such as the Middle East.

Mike Budd of Amicus said: "The vote endorses what we have said to the company - that the feelings are strong enough and that 2.6 per cent is nowhere near sufficient.

"I think it is incumbent on the company to come and talk now," said Mr Budd. "That is the only way to resolve these issues."

"We are extremely disappointed," said BAT. "Our people have been working hard to respond to a difficult and challenging time in our business, and industrial action will only serve to undermine our collective efforts to date. Comments that the company has been intransigent and not negotiated are entirely inaccurate.

"Western Europe is already one of the most expensive places to manufacture cigarettes and we are working hard to prove we can remain competitive here in the UK for our customers around the world. It is difficult to believe that in these circumstances industrial action could be contemplated by our employees."