THE RMT union has announced plans to ballot railway staff working for First Great Western over possible strike action in a dispute over pay for working during the Olympics.

Union members, who include train guards and platform staff, will be asked to vote on striking or taking industrial action short of a strike.

The union has announced the move because of what it called "hopelessly inadequate Olympics recognition and reward proposals".

RMT officials claim rail companies have failed to recognise the likely increase in Olympics-related traffic on routes into London during the games, including the Great Western main line.