The first of seven days of industrial action will take place next Tuesday

Drivers employed by the company in south and east Devon held meetings on Sunday to finalise plans for the strike.

More than 90% of drivers have voted to take industrial action, with the first of two days strikes planned for Tuesday and Friday and more days to follow.

The proposed action is over pay and conditions.

Current pay for drivers is �5.93 an hour and Stagecoach has offered a 3.2% pay rise.

There are drivers who are having to rely on Family Tax Credit, just to get a decent wage coming in A Stagecoach Devon driver

But the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) says the offer is not enough and is demanding drivers be paid �6.50 an hour, together with a one-hour reduction in the working week and other contract changes.

One driver, who did not wish to be named, said drivers felt they had no alternative but to go on strike.

"Going on strike will cost us between �30 and �40 a day, but we feel we've got no option.

"We have got bills coming in. Everything is going up, like council tax and rent, but our money is not.

Talks failed

"We are getting �6 an hour and we can't afford to live on that.

"There are drivers who are having to rely on Family Tax Credit, just to get a decent wage coming in."

Talks aimed at averting the strike broke up last week.

Chris Hilditch, the company's managing director in Devon, said he hoped the strike could still be avoided.

New conditions

Mr Hilditch said a �6.50 an hour pay rate was achievable, but only with new conditions attached.

The company wants a change to some working practices, including ending payment for meal breaks and cash drivers receive to cover the walk to pick up their bus.

Hundreds of bus services in south and east Devon are expected to be affected by the strike action.

Stagecoach employs about 640 drivers across Devon.