THE threat of a strike at one of Bolton's top casinos has moved a step closer.

The GMB union announced the result of the first ever consultative strike ballot of Britain's casino workers.

It revealed that members working for Stanley Casinos across the UK had voted in favour of industrial action if no agreement is reached in current pay negotiations.

Staff at the Stanley Casino, on Higher Bridge Street, Bolton, were among 2,000 who rejected a "final" 3.2 per cent pay offer from the company last week. Further negotiations are scheduled to take place on June 27.

In April, Stanley sold its network of 624 betting shops to William Hill for £505 million and last year made a profit of £26 million.