Drivers carried out a one-day walkout on Tuesday

Drivers working for Stagecoach Devon voted to strike in support of a 10% pay claim and a one-hour reduction in their working week.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union has complained to industry regulators about the ban.

If they want the overtime they should complete their contract Chris Hilditch Stagecoach managing director

The industrial action is affecting Stagecoach services in Torbay, Exeter and east Devon.

It follows failed talks between Stagecoach and the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT).

Drivers want a 10% pay rise, which would give them �6.50 an hour, plus a one-hour cut in their working week.

Stagecoach had offered a 3.2% pay rise. The company then said drivers could can have the full pay rise - but only if they lose a week's holiday and their daily breaks.

But the RMT says the offer is not enough and more than 90% of drivers then voted to take industrial action.

A company memo says the overtime ban will stay in effect until the series of strikes, which will see seven days of action over three weeks, is called off.

The memo, to Stagecoach staff who allot shifts at the firm, instructs them not to give any overtime or rest day working to drivers taking strike action.

The memo says the overtime ban will stay until strikes end

It ends by saying that was a specific instruction from Managing Director Chris Hilditch.

Mr Hilditch admitted that seven or eight vehicles have not been on the road because of the overtime ban.

He said: "If they want the overtime they should complete their contract.

"Overtime is only available when you complete your contracted week. These men are not completing their contracted week, so overtime is disallowed."

However, the RMT described Stagecoach's actions as a "punishment" on drivers and it is taking complaining to traffic commissioners who regulate the industry.

Phil Bialyk, of the RMT, said: "We believe that this company is not fulfilling its statutory obligation in providing a service for the public using all they resources that they've got."

A second one-day stoppage is planned for Friday.