SCHOOLS and nurseries closed, dustbins were left unemptied and other council-run services were left crippled on Wednesday as council workers went on strike.

Local government members of UNISON, the Transport and General Workers Union and the GMB voted to strike after rejecting a three per cent pay offer.

The stoppage hit services across the board including residential care, social services, education, housing, transport, refuse collection, catering and cleaning.

However, the unions, which are seeking a six per cent pay increase, agreed to provide emergency services or work for vulnerable people.

In Craven, hundreds of workers went on strike, with picket lines being established in Skipton.

A total of 64 Craven District Council employees - 20 per cent of the workforce - took industrial action.

Sue Laycock, Craven's head of human resources, said: "In the main we managed to keep most services running although we had to close the cash office at the town hall.

"Three out of seven refuse collection rounds did not operate. But everything else was running without any major disruption."

There were pickets at 9 High Street, the town hall and the council's Engine Shed Lane depot, but none at the council's headquarters at Granville Street.

North Yorkshire County Council's social services offices on Otley Street, Skipton, were picketed by employees.

Social worker Julie Avison, who is shop steward, said they had received a lot of support from members of the public.

The area's schools were also hit, although the only ones to close were Skipton Girls' High School and Brougham Street Nursery.

High School head Diana Chambers said 10 support staff took action, making it impossible for the school to remain open.

"Because we had no communications in terms of telephones, we felt that that it was not safe," she added.

At Brougham Street Nursery, headmistress Sally Newlands said the nursery had to be closed as four out of six members of staff were members of UNISON and took strike action.

Further strike action is planned including a national one-day strike in early August.