ESSENTIAL services in Southampton are to grind to a halt after thousands of city council staff voted overwhelmingly to go ahead with industrial action.

The strike will see around 2,000 city staff work to rule from February 10 and a total stoppage to the vast majority of council services on February 19 - the day the city council sets its budget.

The work to rule's grim scenario means the elderly may lose home visits, social workers would not be able to visit families in the city and housing officers will cease to make calls on council tenants.

The work-to-rule was agreed by thousands of angry city council staff who have voted not to use their cars for council business from February 10.

Work will stop completely on February 19 as city bosses meet to discuss controversial budget plans which could see around 80 jobs axed from the city council and a further 70 posts deleted.

Staff are set to hold a mass picket outside the Civic Centre as the council sets its budget. Bosses are aiming to axe the jobs and make savings of around £7m to ward off the council's budget crisis.

Union members are also angered by plans to save £2.4m over the next four years by scrapping the city council's essential car allowance.

Other money saving plans by the authority include reducing mileage rates for casual and essential car users.

Parking charges for council staff are also due to be raised in a bid to plug the gaping hole in the city's finances next year.

The industrial action was backed by over 80 per cent of council staff. Union leaders say they have given city bosses eight days before the industrial action begins to try and negotiate a fresh deal.

As well as not using their cars, city staff will not cover for posts which are currently vacant and will refuse to travel on public transport to carry out essential council business if they judge it is not safe to do so.

Unison branch secretary Mike Tucker said the "work to rule" would continue indefinitely. He said: "We obviously regret this but it obviously demonstrates that the council is only able to provide its services with the goodwill and sacrifice of its staff."

Council leader Councillor June Bridle said she would be trying to find a suitable date and time to hold talks with the union.

She said: "We will definitely be talking."