A TRANSPORT nightmare could be on the cards after train drivers threatened to strike on three of the 10 days of the Commonwealth Games.

First North Western drivers will walk out on July 28 and 29 and August 4 -- the day of the closing ceremony.

A spokesman for the ASLEF union, which is calling for the action, admitted it will cause chaos in Greater Manchester.

It will also have an affect on the mountain biking event in Rivington on July 29, leaving spectators to catch the half-hourly buses. Union spokesman Andrew Murray said: "The strikes will take place across the whole North-west. With Greater Manchester being the main transport centre, it will have have a big affect."

Drivers want to up their wage from an average of £24,000 to £28,000, the amount earned by workers for rival Arriva, which also operates services in Northern England.

ASLEF said it did not realise its proposed strike would coincide with the Games. More than 850 drivers are expected to walk out. Other dates pencilled in are August 5, 11 and 12, although action could be averted as the union is set to reopen talks with bosses.

The Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive is looking at contingency plans which may involve drafting in extra buses.

Keith Howcroft, director of planning and communications for GMPTE, said: "Rail companies have a standing agreement with bus companies to cover train strikes.

"At this stage it is impossible to say what sort of effect a strike could have. When Arriva trains staged strikes, more than 50 per cent of services still ran and we could see a similar number."

Frances Done, chief executive of Manchester 2002, the Games organisers, was expected to make a personal plea to the drivers not to strike during the 10-day event.

She said train stoppages would threaten the travel plans of thousands.