COASTGUARD staff could go on strike for the first time in their 154-year history in a row over pay, it was announced today.

A poll of 700 workers showed that nine out of 10 would be willing to take part in a ballot for industrial action in protest at below-inflation wage rises.

The Public and Commercial Services union warned it would move to a formal strike ballot unless the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) addressed pay disparities with other emergency services.

The union said Coastguard watch assistants only earned the national minimum wage, while experienced staff had only been given a 1% pay rise.

Staff involved in the dispute operate out of 19 rescue co-ordination centres across the UK, working on administrative and operational duties.

Mark Serwotka, the union's general secretary, said: ''The Government and the MCA can be in no doubt about the feeling of injustice amongst people who deliver a vital emergency service and save lives.

''It is an absolute disgrace that you have Coastguard watch assistants receiving a pay rise this October merely to comply with the increase in the national minimum wage.

''Members are angry that MCA management commissioned and then ignored findings of pay comparison exercises carried out at the end of last year which have supported the union's claim for comparability with other 999 services.''