Britain's nuclear base at Fasland in Scotland faces "severe disruption" after workers yesterday announced strike action over pay.

Unite members will stage the first walkouts at the facility for decades on March 10 and 11.

The strike was postponed last month but is back on after workers voted by 732 to five to reject the latest "derisory" below-inflation pay offer.

The union said "anger was tangible" after news got out that Babcock Marine's top four bosses have enjoyed a 9 per cent pay rise last year as well as sharing £7 million in bonuses.

Unite national officer Ian Waddell said: "It's now a case of the chickens coming home to roost for Babcock Marine on the Clyde, which has been well warned about the ramifications of its grossly unfair pay policies.

"Our members are no longer prepared to play the part of the poor relations.

"We entered talks, suspending our industrial action in good faith, in the hope that we could negotiate a deal that would give this loyal workforce the fairness it deserves, but the company tabled its new position and that was the end of the matter."

The strike will also affect Coulport naval base on the Clyde unless Babcock improves on its 2 per cent pay offer.

Mr Waddell added: "A prolonged period of industrial action will severely disrupt day-to-day operations at the Faslane and Coulport bases, but the workers will strive to ensure the safety of the workforce, the naval base and the local communities will not be compromised."