COASTGUARD cover were set to be severely disrupted as staff staged their second one-day strike over pay - with both sides warning lives will be at risk.

Around 50 Portland and Solent rescue centre staff, who had worked to rule since Tuesday, April 8, were due to walk out for 24 hours at 7am on Friday, April 11. They were to join up to 700 Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) colleagues in the nationwide action.

Union leaders say management and the government have refused to increase "pitiful pay levels" which start at just £12,097. They demand coastguards get at least another £3,000, bringing them more in line with fellow 999 workers.

Managers were set to provide skeleton cover to ensure mayday and 999 calls were answered, and emergency calls and rescues were being handled from the fully manned Strategic Support Centre at the MCA training centre at Highcliffe.

Portland's rescue centre was to remain open, while Solent's closed down. Emergency vessel crews would not be taking part and coastguard helicopters would still be flying.

During the coastguard's first-ever 24-hour strike, last month, seven of the 19 Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) centres - including Solent - were forced to close.

Mark Serwotka, general secretary of PCS, the public and commercial services union, said: "The strength of feeling among dedicated coastguard staff is self evident following the strong support for their first strike.

"The continued refusal by the government and the agency to value the work of its forgotten emergency service has provoked avoidable strike action and put lives at risk.

"It is deeply disappointing that management and the government have refused to talk seriously about resolving the disparities in pay with other emergency service workers and pitiful pay levels that result in coastguard watch assistants receiving a special pay rise because the minimum wage has risen."

Unless the warring parties can come to some agreement, another 24-hour strike is scheduled for April 24.

A MCA spokesman said: "Contingency plans are being drawn up to lessen the risks, but the MCA remain very concerned by this unnecessary and potentially life-threatening action and would encourage the unions to return to the negotiating table at the very earliest opportunity."