British Airways cabin crew have voted overwhelmingly for strikes in a dispute over pay, the Unite union says.

More than 2,000 workers were balloted about the action, which will take place at Heathrow Airport. It comes after cabin crew rejected a 2{d59e984f9fbc5c09e4ab0305e27bfa5819922b7230cd324f89a660f78358ca33} pay rise.

The action will begin after 21 December and Unite has yet to finalise dates. It did not say if the strike would affect travellers over Christmas.

BA said Unite was creating uncertainty for its customers.

Tensions have been running high over pay and conditions at the airline.

Some 79{d59e984f9fbc5c09e4ab0305e27bfa5819922b7230cd324f89a660f78358ca33} of crew that took part in the ballot voted for action, Unite said, urging British Airways to return to the negotiating table.

The dispute concerns about 4,000 staff who have joined the airline since 2010 on “Mixed Fleet” contracts, who do not feel they are paid enough. More than 2,000 of them are Unite members.

Earnings were advertised between £21,000 and £25,000 but, in reality, start at just over £12,000 plus £3 an hour flying pay, Unite said.