Journalists at the Bolton News and Bury Times have voted to strike as part of a continuing dispute with publisher Newsquest.

The National Union of Journalists has long been at loggerheads with the publisher over staff pay. 21 NUJ members voted in the ballot with 16 in favour of a strike.

NUJ organiser Chris Morley said: "Our members are giving Newsquest management a clear and consistent message. They are not prepared to tolerate management’s cavalier and uncaring treatment of hardworking and skilled professionals."

The union's deputy general secretary, Michelle Stanistreet, added: "Newsquest and its American owners have been relentless in their pursuit of higher profits at the expense of journalists.

"The growing anger amongst journalists throughout the group and their determination to bring the company to the negotiating table is clear.”

A strike tomorrow by nearly 60 journalists at Sheffield Newspapers has been avoided.

The strike was suspended after the NUJ chapel accepted a new deal with management to resolve a dispute over plans to halve the number of production jobs at the Johnston Press ‘editorial hub’ in the city.

Morley said: "We have secured a guarantee of jobs for all staff. Just as important, freelances will have the opportunity of permanent contracts."