The Aston Martin is famous for appearing in Bond films

Members of the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) backed walkouts by almost four to one over working practices at the firm, which employs about 1,000 staff.

They rejected plans for new flexible shifts by voting 175 in favour of strikes, with 48 against.

The union said talks would now take place between national officials and shop stewards at the company's plants in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, and Bloxham near Banbury in Oxfordshire, about the timing of industrial action.

This is a very disappointing outcome to a fair offer Dr Ulrich Bez Aston Martin executive

Senior TGWU official Steve Hart said: "This is a decisive vote to reject the company's proposals and we urge senior managers to reflect hard on the message they have been sent."

Dr Ulrich Bez, chief executive officer of Aston Martin, said: "This is a very disappointing outcome to a fair offer designed to improve Aston Martin's competitive performance, particularly as the union leadership initially recommended acceptance of the company's offer."

Dr Bez said the company, which builds about 1,500 cars a year, was entering the most significant and exciting periods of change in its 89 year history.

He said it was "sad" that 175 workers had voted not to accept "standard industry practices".