Trent Buses could see stoppages on each Saturday until Christmas with up to 450 drivers involved.

A spokesman for the Transport and General Workers Union said the proposed pay rise was not enough to keep up with the cost of living.

The walk-out would affect routes through Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

'No rise'

The company has awarded an average rise of 4.2% to its employees.

Managers have insisted they will not talk to the union while the threat of strike action continues.

Peter Whipps, Regional Industrial Organiser for the TGWU, said: "While the average offer is 4.2 % many of my members are getting 3.5%.

"Add to that the fact 200 employees last year got no rise at all and you can see it is not enough.

Affected services

"This is a successful, profitable company and a lot of that comes from the service its staff provide.

"There was no real negotiation about this rise, it was just take it or leave it."

A postal ballot of members showed 241 drivers in favour of industrial action and 113 against.

About 40 Trent services will be affected.

Barton buses - apart from the Rainbow 4 and 5 services - will not be affected.

In a seperate dispute, Kinch buses, which serves Loughborough, will be on strike on Friday.