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Teaching assistants in County Durham have voted to strike after rejecting a pay deal some claim would see them lose up to 20% of their salary.

About 2,000 members of Unison - mostly women - are angry at Durham County Council's plan to only pay them during term time.

The union has warned that any industrial action could force some schools to close.

The council said it was "very disappointed" at the ballot result.

'No other option'

Unison regional secretary Clare Williams said: "Teaching assistants are essential in the classroom and to devalue them in this way is unacceptable.

"Parents and teachers understand their worth, it's a pity the council does not.

"This decision to move to industrial action hasn't been taken lightly, but with employees facing massive pay cuts they have been left with no other option.

"Durham council must do the right thing and get back around the negotiating table."

Strike action is expected to begin before Christmas.

Durham County Council's head of education, Caroline O'Neill, said: "We are obviously very disappointed that Unison members have taken this decision.

"Throughout this process we have been really clear that this is not a situation we would want to be in, but one that - like all but one other council in the North East and many nationally - we have a legal and moral duty to deal with, due to the huge potential for extremely costly equal pay claims by other staff, which could put council services and jobs at risk.

"We will of course now work with head teachers to ensure that any disruption to their education is kept to a minimum."

Last month about 200 teaching assistants who are members of the GMB union voted to accept the council's proposals.