SCHOOLS in Bolton could be forced to shut if teachers walk out in protest at changes to their pay and working conditions.

Teachers have voted to go on strike over the “erosion” of their pay and working conditions.

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) said its ballot of members had shown 82.5 per cent are in favour of walkouts, with a turnout of 27 per cent. The result raises the threat of huge disruption to schools later this term.

Ballot NUT, which has previously balloted members over changes to public sector pensions, has warned of joint strikes with the NASUWT teachers' union The NASUWT already has a mandate to take industrial action over the same issues.

And now the NUT has said the two unions will be campaigning together to “ensure that the onslaught of attacks on the teaching profession stops”.

Further details of the campaign will be set out on Monday.

NUT general secretary Christine Blower said: “The NUT is left with no option but to take action to protect the well-being of our members and restore their rights to do their job thoroughly and properly.

“Teachers are being undermined by a Government whose almost daily criticisms and erosion of working conditions and pay, coming on top of previous attacks on pensions, are unacceptable.

This negative approach to the profession has to stop.”