The men, members of the GMB and Amicus trade unions, stopped work at the Amec yard in Wallsend on Wednesday.

Work on two giant BP oil platforms worth �85m has been brought to a standstill.

A spokesman for the company said the unofficial action was over "dissatisfaction with an internal procedural matter".

About 400 sub-contract staff and white collar workers remain at the site.

Management are to meet shop stewards and senior union officials on Friday to try to find a solution to the dispute.

A company spokesman said: "We are disappointed at this unofficial action and hope the situation can be resolved quickly."

Earlier this year Amec and neighbouring Swan Hunter was hit by a spate of wildcat strikes over pay.