FEARS that public services could grind to a halt next Wednesday when local government staff walk out on a 24-hour strike have been dismissed.

West Somerset District Council has announced a skeleton staff will keep essential services running as more than a million council workers across the country down tools.

Somerset County Council chiefs say they have made contingency plans to ensure essential services and schools are not too badly affected.

Council workers wanted a six per cent pay rise this year across the board but authorities have refused to budge on a three per cent offer.

A ballot among UNISON members last month found 56 per cent in favour of industrial action from a 40 per cent turnout with further strikes planned this summer if the pay row is not resolved.

Of the district council's 149 staff, 80 are union members and bosses at the authority are expecting picketing outside the Williton and Minehead offices.

Less than a quarter of the county council's 15,000 employees are UNISON members andt County Hall is confident schools and social services will not suffer.

West Somerset District Council's offices will be open to the public during normal hours with reception staff on duty and the switchboards manned. It will also be business as usual at Minehead's Aquasplash leisure pool.

Council chief executive Tim Howes said "We have done everything we can to support the continuation of services vital to the health and safety of the public.

"However, in the circumstances I would ask the public not to contact us about matters that are routine but leave such enquiries until after the industrial action is over.

"We will, of course, be available to deal with any matters of an urgent nature, in which case the council can be contacted in the normal way."

Mr Howes said the council's refuse collector, Cleanaway, would not be taking part in the industrial action so rubbish collection and street and toilet cleaning would remain unaffected.