Bradford faces at least two more days of crippling strike action by council workers unless a compromise with bosses can be found soon.

Industrial action by three unions representing public workers has been planned for August 14 and an unspecified date in September.

More than 1.2 million local authority employees across the country, ranging from classroom assistants to refuse collectors, will walk out if their claim for a six per cent pay rise is not settled.

But hopes of a compromise were raised after employers opened the door to negotiations by signalling that a two or three-year pay deal could be discussed if peace talks were reopened.

Liz Devlin, of the Bradford branch of Unison, which is co-ordinating the industrial action with the GMB and Transport and General Workers Union, claimed there was an overwhelming response to Wednesday's strike with more than 90 per cent of union members in Bradford not turning up for work.

She said: "I am very confident we will get the same response from our workers for the planned walk-outs.

"Our members do not want to strike but they have been left with no choice. There is a general feeling of unhappiness and the three per cent offer we have received does not go anywhere near to addressing the issue of the low pay that some workers in local government receive."

Councillor Margaret Eaton, the leader of Bradford Council, said: "Clearly it is disappointing that the unions are planning a further one-day national strike and it remains to be seen how many Bradford Council staff come out in support of the action," she said. "We will do everything we can to make sure that the impact on local people is minimised and essential services are maintained."