HUNDREDS of hospital cleaners will take to the picket line for a second time next week.

Unison have announced that its cleaning members at Southampton General Hospital will be taking part in a second 48 hour walk-out, starting at 8am on January 19.

The industrial action follows a meeting yesterday between the union and Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, which failed to settle the dispute over pay.

Andy Straker, from Unison, said: "Although the meeting was worthwhile in understanding the trust's position, I believe the trust have missed an opportunity to bring this dispute to a close."

As reported in the Daily Echo, more than 100 cleaners staged a 48-hour strike just before Christmas, over what they claim is the trust's failure to pay agreed NHS rates.