NI vehicle testers start strike over pay

MoT checks and driving tests in Northern Ireland were cancelled today as staff at vehicle test centres began a strike for increased pay.

As a result up to 5,000 vehicle test checks and 500 driving tests will be cancelled every week the strike rumbles on, the British government has warned.

Staff at seven test centres stopped work as part of a row over civil servants' pay.

The Public service union NIPSA has warned the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency the industrial action will continue at agency centres in Armagh, Belfast, Craigavon, Lisburn, Mallusk, Newry and Newtownards.

With waiting times already almost doubled because of earlier stoppages, agency chief executive Mr Stanley Duncan admitted it will get worse.