Thousands of workers at London's biggest and busiest airports have been balloted for strike action that could wreck summer holiday plans.

Just this week most of the capitals schools broke up for the summer, with the vote closing on August 12, industrial action threatens disruption  before the end of the holidays. Heathrow and Stansted will be affected if the 6,185 members decide to walkout.

Strikes by British Airways worcabin crew could exaserbate the great getaway.

Security, engeneers, firefighters and support staff at the BAA owened airports are furious at the operators "measly" 1% pay rise - Unite's national officer for civil aviation, Brendan Gold called the offer "othing short of confrontational".

The union said they were also offered a 0.5% rise conditional to changes to the sick pay agreement and bonuses if BAA hits financial targets.

The Spanish owened firm said the offer was fair given the hit the industry took in the volcanic ash shutdown and recession.