PARENTS have been warned that more than 1,000 pupils face problems getting to school when the first in a series of five bus strikes starts tomorrow.

Children at 23 schools across Dorset will be affected by the action, staged by drivers locked in a pay dispute with First buses.

Education and transport chiefs have urged parents whose children usually travel with the company to ensure they can get to and from school safely tomorrow, and on July 11, July 12, July 17 and July 18.

Dorset County Council's school transport co-ordinator Terry Spracklen said: "Our firm advice to parents is to assume that First buses will not be running on Friday, unless they hear otherwise.

"Parents should also remember that all the other school transport operators in Dorset are running as normal on Friday."

Coun Angus Campbell, the council's deputy leader who also has cabinet responsibility for education, said: "More parents than usual will be trying to drop off their children tomorrow. So motorists should be doubly careful and look out for a larger volume of traffic during the school run."

Staff at schools served by First buses have taken swift action in response to the problem.

A letter has been sent to parents of pupils at Wey Valley School in Weymouth.

Tim Balmforth, headteacher at All Saints School in Wyke Regis, said: "I am sure parents will make every effort to make sure their children get to school safely."

First has tried to broker two deals with drivers in the past seven months.

Both were rejected in favour of going on strike.

The National Union of Rail Maritime and Transport Workers is negotiating with First for better wages, shorter hours and overtime payments.

Drivers also want the same working conditions as First's Somerset division.

The union's regional organiser Phil Bialyk said: "Members feel we have no other choice but reluctantly to take this action.

"We hope the public understands that we never enter into strike action lightly."

First customer enquiries will be dealt with on the following number: (01305) 783645.