Irish passengers travelling home for Christmas from London and Manchester next week could be facing travel chaos.

Check-in staff and cargo handlers at Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester Airports have voted to go on strike in a row over pay.

Members of the Unite union have voted by more than four to one in favour of a two-day walkout - ending on Christmas Eve.

Around 460 people at the firm dnata are involved in the dispute.

According to RTE, regional officer Kevin Hall said: "It is extremely disappointing that Dnata has acted in such a high-handed way and sought to split the workforce between the haves and the have nots.

"Strike action is very much a last resort and our members are mindful of the potential disruption it could cause. But they feel frustrated with an employer that has refused point blank to go to Acas and negotiate in a sensible manner.