WORKERS at the Southampton factory of cigarette giant British American Tobacco are to vote over whether to walk out over pay.

A survey of about 700 union members at the 26-acre factory in Regents Park revealed an "overwhelming majority" backed industrial action after being offered a "take it or leave it" 2.6 per cent rise.

More than 1,500 workers are employed at the factory in Regents Park, which is now BAT's only UK manufacturing site, producing high-tar brands for export outside the European Union.

The Daily Echo was told that workers felt pay offers in the past few years compared badly with BAT's profits and recently departed chairman Martin Broughton's £2.4m-a-year salary.

In July, the makers of Lucky Strike, Rothmans and Dunhill cigarettes announced half-year pre-tax profits had soared by 25 per cent to £941m.

Bosses at union Amicus plan to issue strike ballots in about two weeks' time and expect the outcome to be known by the first week of October. Members will vote on whether to strike or take industrial action short of a strike.

Amicus regional organiser Mike Budd said: "The feeling is very strong and I suspect that when we hold the ballot it will come out in favour of action.

"BAT is a top company and they employ good-quality people.

"Their cash turnover is extremely high and their profits are always something like £1.2 billion which they reinvest in the company. Our argument is that they need to reinvest in staff. They should share in the success and in the last two or three years pay hasn't increased that much."

A BAT spokesman said: "We are continuing to talk with our trade union colleagues and there is no clear mandate currently from the union membership to go for strike action."