Small business owners should be aware that AA patrol staff have voted to go on strike in a dispute over pensions.

The Independent Democratic Union (IDU) said its members had voted 57% in favour of industrial action in an 87% turnout.

No strike dates have yet been set and the union is asking the AA to hold more talks on the issue. However, the motoring group said it had drawn up contingency plans to ensure a good service should the strike go ahead.

If the strike goes ahead it will be the first such action in the 105-year history of the AA.

The UK has seen a raft of industrial action recently with staff at BA recently striking and rail workers only having industrial action postponed by the high court due to ballot discrepancies.