Workers at a Tesco distribution centre in Dagenham have voted “overwhelmingly” to take industrial action in a pay dispute with bosses.

Members of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw) at the centre in Consul Avenue, Rainham, voted by 70 per cent, on a turnout of 63pc, to strike after both sides failed to agree an acceptable pay deal.

The most recent offer – rejected by union members – was worth less than 3pc over 12 months, according to Usdaw.

The union hopes Tesco will return to the negotiating table with a “significantly improved” offer “so disruption can be avoided”.

An Usdaw spokesman said: “Usdaw has engaged positively with Tesco during the 2017 pay review, but the company has so far failed to make an offer acceptable to our members.

“This breakdown in negotiations has forced us to conduct an industrial action ballot and our members have overwhelmingly backed a series of 24 hour strikes.

“It is deeply regrettable the company has pushed our members to this point and we urge them to bring forward an offer in line with our members’ expectations,” he added.

In response a Tesco spokesman said: “We have put forward a fair and competitive pay deal to our distribution colleagues as part of our annual review process.”

He said all the company’s 21 distribution sites except Dagenham had agreed their offers.

“We are very disappointed the union committee representing our Dagenham site has decided to move towards industrial action. We will continue to engage with the committee on this issue as we believe having a conversation is the best way forward,” he said.

The centre distributes to Tesco convenience stores within greater London.