ANGRY parents have condemned the "last minute" closure of Bolton schools as a result of strike action by local government workers.

Some headteachers have taken the decision to shut their schools on Wednesday as the nationwide strike will leave them without caretakers, cleaners and school meals.

But many parents are annoyed that they were only informed on Friday.

Now many are struggling to find last minute childcare.

They have hit out at the lack of notice given and accused education bosses of having a lack of foresight in not arranging contingency plans. Some parents were still in the dark today and education chiefs left still trying to establish just how many schools are going to be affected.

The majority of primary schools will either close for the day or close earlier than normal.

The walkout is the first national strike by local authority workers in Britain since 1989. Bins will not be emptied, streets not cleaned and all council offices closed. Leisure centres will also be shut.

Contingency plans are being drawn up to ensure vital services are maintained for the sick and elderly.

But parents have criticised schools staff for taking part. They claim that hundreds of parents will also now have to take an enforced day off work to care for their children.

Lesley Kaneen, whose three children go to Church Road Primary School, said: "If they were people who worked in industry they would put agency staff in or make other contingencies.

"While most people will be able to make childcare arrangements I am certain there will be be some kids left to their own devices."

Another parent from Ladybridge CP School, Broadford Road, which will close at lunchtime on Wednesday, added: "Hundreds of parents throughout Bolton -- many who may feel sympathy for the council employees -- are being put in an impossible position. Many will lose out financially."

At Walmsley CE School, Blackburn Road, Egerton, parents have been informed the school will remain open but are being told to provide their children with packed lunches.

Margaret Blenkinsop, Bolton Council's director of education, said the decision to close schools was left with individual governing bodies and parents were given as much notice as possible.

She said: "We have acted as quickly as we could given the the circumstances. It is unfortunate that this is happening and we don't want parents inconvenienced but this is part and parcel of what happens when there is strike action."

She added that the council did not have people available to cover for striking workers and would not consider such a move.

The strike action, organised by Unison, GMB and T&G could see more than 5,000 Bolton Council workers, from road sweepers to social services staff, not turning up for work.

They are campaigning for a six per cent pay rise or payment of £1,750, as well as a basic minimum wage of £11,000. So far they have been offered three per cent.

Members of the Bolton branch of the National Union of Teachers, while not on strike themselves, say they support the action.