Oxfordshire is facing widespread disruption on Wednesday and Thursday as thousands of council workers strike over pay.

Unison and Unite members are walking out over the Government's below-inflation offer of a 2.45 per cent pay rise.

At least six schools in Oxfordshire will close or partially close, and leisure facilities and refuse collections will be affected.

In Oxford, public toilets will close, as well as the Museum of Oxford in St Aldate's and customer services centres at Templars Square, Cowley, and St Aldate's Chambers.

Ferry Sports Centre, Hinksey Pool (between 2pm and 8pm) and Blackbird Leys Pool will also close.

Mark Fysh, Unison branch secretary for Oxfordshire, said council workers had, in real terms, been taking pay cuts for a decade.

He said: "People simply can't afford to live on the money they are paid.

"The price of fuel and food has gone through the roof. We are simply asking for a living wage. MPs should try living on the money some of our members are paid."

He said it was difficult to predict the numbers likely to take part in the strike, but that most of the services the county council provided would be affected.

Oxfordshire County Council confirmed 2,600 of its 20,000 members of staff were union members and that six schools would close or partially close.

The schools were Bardwell School in Bicester, Didcot Girls' School, Kingfisher School in Abingdon, and Iffley Mead School, Northern House School and Northfield School, in Oxford.

County council Paul Smith said: "Managers are making arrangements to maintain services as far as possible, especially in essential services.

"We anticipate the impact will be limited. Where services are affected, users and those who need to know will be kept informed."