BUS passengers across Hampshire are facing the prospect of disrupted journeys as drivers prepare to ballot on action over pay.

Nearly 300 Stagecoach drivers based at Winchester, Andover and Basingstoke will vote on whether to accept a pay offer of 3.5 per cent.

The ballot is due to be held next month and action could coincide with the start of the new school year in September.

The unrest mirrors the drivers' unhappiness in July 1999 which came close to a strike, only called off with minutes to spare.

Nick Knight, chairman of the Winchester branch of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, said: "The offer is 1.2 per cent above inflation. It is probably the best offer we have ever had. But it is not just money, it is the working practices.

"Drivers often have to drive for five-and-a-half hours at a time. Drivers are stood down in the quiet periods, so they may be at work for 12 hours but only be paid for seven-and-a- half. It is perfectly legal but people are getting fed up."

"We are waiting for a ballot to be put together by the Electoral Reform Society within the next week or two. The votes then have to be collected and counted. There wouldn't be any stoppages until September."

Mr Knight said the above-inflation offer reflected the recruitment problems that most bus companies are having in the south. He said younger people were not prepared to put up with the increasing hassle of the job.

"They don't want to drive through the tough estates late at night. We have a desperate shortage, I have never known anything like it in 30 years."

Andrew Dyer, managing director of Stagecoach (Hampshire), said: "I am very disappointed the offer has not been accepted. It is well in excess of inflation and we think it is very fair."

Mr Dyer added that Stagecoach had a staff shortage of only about five per cent, which was better than many of its rivals.

"The labour market in Winchester and Basingstoke is pretty buoyant and that is one of the reasons we have decided to make an offer above inflation.

"The five per cent shortage creates opportunities for staff to work overtime.

"If we were fully staffed and there was no overtime, that would create some dissatisfaction from the drivers who want to work it."