The strike action will close 353 schools across Glasgow

Up to 1.5 million staff across the UK will stage a walk out.

Council administration will shut down, many schools will close and other council-run services, such as Lothian Buses, will be among those affected.

Pat Watters, president of the council umbrella group Cosla, said it was "difficult" to predict the impact.

He added: "The administrative side of councils will grind to a halt.

"Most of our offices will be closed.

"We are in a difficult situation."

In Glasgow all primary, nursery and special educational needs schools, as well as family learning centres, will close but secondaries will remain open.

In Edinburgh all Lothian Bus services will be affected, including night buses on the morning of 28 March.

The administrative side of councils will grind to a halt Pat Watters Cosla president

The unions said the action was because of plans to restrict the right of public service pension scheme members to retire on a full pension at 60.

About 80% of the members of eight trade unions - including Unison, the Transport and General Workers Union and the GMB - who took part in a national ballot, voted for strike action.

A total of 353 schools and nurseries will close in Glasgow.

The city's 29 secondary schools will remain open.

Uncertain situation

Galleries and museums, sports and community centres and social work offices are also likely to be closed.

There will be no refuse collections.

Ronnie O'Connor, executive director for education, training and young people, has written to parents.

He said: "In order to ensure the safety and well being of pupils, and because of the uncertainty of the situation, a decision has been taken to close.

"The council very much regrets the disruption to your children's learning."

Lothian Buses will not be running on Tuesday 28 March

Bill Campbell, Lothian Buses operations director, said there was no dispute between the company and its staff.

He said: "We are well aware of the seriousness of this issue and it is regrettable that thousands of bus travellers will be affected by the one-day strike.