Fifty-four schools in Oxfordshire will be closed today because of a row over pay.

The schools were last night listed as expected to be closed or partly closed as hundreds of National Union of Teachers members in the county strike over the Government's offer of a below-inflation 2.45 per cent pay increase.

Lecturers at Oxford and Cherwell Valley College are also mounting pickets at both the college's campuses at Oxpens and Blackbird Leys.

Union representative Alan Whitaker said: "Our members have to cope with an increasing cost of living, particularly here in Oxford, which has some of the highest living costs in the country."

The one-day national strike is the union's first for 21 years. Teachers plan to march through Oxford city centre, from the Town Hall at 1.30pm, together with other public sector workers protesting about pay.

Two of Oxford's biggest secondary schools were yesterday added to the list of closures - Peers School and St Gregory the Great Catholic School.

Peers headteacher Ed McConnell said 20 per cent of his teaching staff had decided to strike. He said: "I don't have enough teachers to cover a full programme. There are issues with supervision and health and safety.

"Clearly, having to close a school is a shame."

Have you been affected by the strike? Call us on 01865 425427.