DISRUPTION caused by the planned strike of civil servants to Kidderminster job centre, benefits office and the county court today and tomorrow is expected to be kept to a minimum.

As the Shuttle/Times & News was going to press, last minute negotiations were taking place between the Public and Commercial Services Union and the Government in a bid to avert the action.

But if the two-day strike does go ahead from today, a spokeswoman for the Department of Work and Pensions said contingency arrangements would be put in place.

She said: " We are hoping to maintain a near-normal service and benefits payments will not be affected."

Four of the five staff who run Kidderminster County Court are members of the union but they decided not to join the strike.

The PCS called the strike in anger at the level of a recent pay award, which it believes maintains members' low pay status, and because the Government imposed the award on them.

Union officials say members are forced to claim the equivalent of up to half of their wages in benefit payments.