A range of other council services including leisure facilities will also come to a halt the week after next when council workers stage a two-day walk-out.

But Parkwise parking attendants will still patrol the streets, although office staff processing the tickets will not be working as they are members of Unison, which is locked in a national dispute with the Government.

The strikes, part of national industrial action, will affect all Burnley Council services including the town hall, Contact Centre, leisure centres and cemeteries.

Mr Peter Thorne, branch secretary of Unison, said he expected a "solid strike" in Burnley on Wednesday, July 16th, and Thursday, July 17th, in protest at this year's below-inflation pay offer of 2.45%.

He said: "The vast majority of workers at Burnley Council are Unison members and we are expecting a solid strike. We will be picketing at various locations, but particularly Burnley Town Hall as this is the public face of the council. However, we do expect the Market Hall to remain open."

Council leader Coun. Gordon Birtwistle said the town hall would remain open to staff that wanted to work and non-union members would work as normal.

Unison members met on Wednesday for a regional meeting in Manchester to discuss whether workers on essential services such as cemeteries should not go out on strike, but this was rejected.

Funeral directors were sent letters from the council's Bereavement Services department stating the cremation service and burials would be suspended on the two days of strike action.

For information on how services may be affected call Burnley Council on 425011.