A STRIKE by teachers will close 44 schools in Bolton on Thursday.

The other 82 in the borough also face disruption. Some will only be partially open, with some lessons cancelled Members of the National Union of Teachers are taking the action in a dispute over pay.

The one-day strike is the first by teachers in 21 years.

All parents have been sent letters warning them of the disruption.

Scores of NUT members will march through Bolton town centre as part of the action.

The Bolton branch of the NUT has more than 1,000 members and Barry Conway, branch secretary, described the decision to close a third of Bolton's schools as "fantastic news".

"Education in Bolton will close down for the day," he said.

"All the high schools are shut and primary schools which are going to try and stay open will not be able to offer their pupils an education.

"Trying to run a school without all the staff in itself will cause mayhem."

"The effect this strike is going to have sends out a clear message to the Government that they must listen to us.

"This one day strike is by no means the end."

A Bolton Council spokesman said: "Some schools are only partially open with some classes taking place and others cancelled. However, the position could change and parents are urged to check with schools."

The Government has announced a 2.45 per cent rise for teachers in England and Wales this year, with further rises of 2.3 per cent in 2009 and 2010.

The NUT claims this offer represents a real-terms pay cut as it is below the rate of retail price inflation."

Union leaders are demanding either a seven per cent pay rise or £3,000 for every teacher in England and Wales this September - whichever is the greater.

A town centre rally being held on Thursday will also include members of the University Colleges Union at Bolton Community College, who are also striking in a dispute over pay.

Bolton Council's executive member for children's children's services, Cllr Linda Thomas said: "We regret any inconvenience this will cause but it is outside the council's control. Parents have been sent letter and we are informing people about which schools will be affected.

"We will help and support schools in anyway we can. We want to keep as many schools open as possible."

Government minister Ed Balls, the Children's Secretary, said yesterday: "I'm on the side of parents who will be disappointed if their children's education is disrupted on Thursday because we have decided to accept an independent pay review.

"The majority of teachers do not want to strike."

Further chaos is predicted due to a strike by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PSCU), also to be held on Thursday.

Public sector workers will walk out for one day across the country in a protest over pay.

They are against the Government policy of capping public sector pay to below inflation, which they say will reduce living standards.

Job centres, benefit agencies and driving test centres are expected to be affected.