British Gas employees have voted to strike over alleged bullying and changes to their terms and conditions.

The GMB trade union said that its members supported strikes by 82%, and industrial action short of a strike by 90% in a high turnout of the 8,000 workers balloted.

British Gas has been given a week by the GMB to respond before the union decides on its next move and potentially announces the dates for industrial action.

Matthew Bateman, director of heating services at British Gas said the firm had "robust contingency plans in place" to make sure service to customers was unaffected.