Travellers face August Bank Holiday chaos at two of the UK's busiest airports because of a planned strike by workers including baggage handlers and check-in staff.

Gatwick and Stansted are set to be hit by strikes on August 25 and again on August 29 in a dispute over pay which could spread to Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle airports.

Workers employed by Swissport have rejected a "paltry" 3% pay offer which unions complained was well below the rate of inflation. The company was also accused of removing sick pay for the first three days of any absence due to illness, including industrial injury.

Members of Unite at Gatwick and Stansted will take part in the strike, while GMB members at Stansted will also walk out on the same days.

Unite will announce a ballot result among its Swissport members at Manchester airport next week and said workers in Birmingham and Newcastle airports will also be balloted for strike action over pay.

National officer Steve Turner said: "This pay offer is an insult to professional, hard working men and women who have to operate in extremely difficult conditions. We will not stand back and allow labour costs to determine whether contracts are won or lost."

A spokesman for Swissport said: "Swissport is aware of the disappointing news that a small number of union members have voted for strike action at Gatwick airport. Swissport is working with the airport operator and the customer airlines to minimise disruption to the travelling public."

The GMB said its members at Stansted will also strike on August 25 and 29 after voting by 9-1 in favour of industrial action. The union said the anniversary date for a pay rise was April, but the current offer would run from July.

Workers involved in the dispute handle baggage and check-in arrangements for Ryanair and easyJet at Stansted.

More than 30 GMB members who screen luggage at Stansted will also strike on Bank Holiday Monday in a separate dispute over pay after rejecting a 1.5% pay offer.

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