The three Oxfordshire libraries closed today due to industrial action by council workers are Central Library in Westgate, Oxford, Abingdon Library and Wallingford Library.

In addition, the North Oxfordshire mobile library will not be on the road today.

Union members across the county are on strike over a below-inflation 2.45 per cent pay rise offer.

The action has also closed, or partially closed, ten of the county's 290 schools and led to Oxford City Council to reschedule its refuse collection service over the coming fortnight.

The two-day protest ends at midnight.

Yesterday about 350 council workers marched through Oxford in protest over pay.

Yesterday, four libraries, ten schools and some leisure facilities were forced to close as members of the Unison and Unite unions across the county walked out over a below-inflation 2.45 per cent pay offer.

Earlier in the week, Oxford City Council rescheduled its refuse collection services over the coming fortnight to cope with staff shortages.

The two-day national strike was set to finish today.

Oxfordshire County Council employee Marie Browning, 32, from Stanford in the Vale, carries out home visits for adults who are recovering from strokes, heart attacks and accidents.

The mother-of-four said union members were campaigning for a six per cent pay rise - or the equivalent of an extra 50p an hour.

She said: "Things are so bad I don't think I can afford to work.

"I can't pay for child care so maybe I should stay at home and collect tax credits.

"But I want to work, not live on handouts.

"The Government doesn't listen to normal working people. Hopefully they will now."

Colleague Mandy Page, 42, from Upton, near Didcot, added: "We just want a pay rise so we can do our jobs properly."

Unison office manager Eva Emmett, 54, from Blackbird Leys, picketed outside County Hall in New Road, Oxford, with her granddaughter Sophie.

She said: "We are not greedy, but 2.45 per cent is pathetic. People can't manage and are getting into debt."

In Oxford, public toilets remained closed, as well as the Museum of Oxford and council customer services centres in St Aldate's and Templars Square shopping centre at Cowley.

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

Mark Fysh, Unison branch secretary for Oxfordshire, said: "I think we have successfully made our point. Schools and libraries are shut and I'm struck by the number of people who have stayed away."

However, Oxfordshire County Council played down the impact of the industrial action - although last night it was unable to say how many of its 2,600 union members had not shown up for work.

The council employs 20,000 staff.

Spokesman Paul Smith said: "County Hall is operating as normal."

Mr Smith added: "Only ten out of 290 plus schools have had to close or partially close and only four out of 43 libraries have been affected.

"Highways, registration and trading standards services are operating as normal and social care services are largely unaffected.

"The Oxfordshire Record Office, Oxfordshire Museum, Cogges Manor Farm Museum and Mill Arts Centre in Banbury are open as normal.

"Oxfordshire's eight waste recycling centres are also open.

"In summary, the effect of the industrial action is extremely limited."