A ballot about whether to accept the package closed on Friday

Members of Unison have turned down a package which included an increased pay offer and more annual leave.

Union officials say "a substantial majority" voted against the package offered by the Sussex Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

The deal was hoped to end a dispute stretching back seven months in which industrial action has been taken.

Unions had called for a 5% pay rise, but had previously only been offered 3.6% by management.

Ballot closed

The revised offer was worth an average increase of 4.2% and an extra two days' leave for staff with more than 10 years' service.

A ballot among Unison members on whether the package should be accepted closed on Friday.

Although the exact scale of opposition is not known, a union official has told the BBC the majority is "substantial" and a return to industrial action has not been ruled out.

Industrial action started in February when union members started working to rule, with a ban on overtime and crews only heading to emergencies from ambulance stations - instead of being on stand-by near known accident spots.

After the latest setback a meeting between Sussex Ambulance management and union officials is being arranged.