Oxford's courts were expected to be thrown into chaos on Thursday as staff began a two-day strike.

Clerks, ushers, typists and administrative staff at Oxford Combined Court Centre were set to join a national protest over a lower-than-inflation pay rise.

The centre includes the city's crown court, county court and probate office.

One criminal trial at Oxford Crown Court was adjourned yesterday for two days because of the dispute.

Judge Andrew Geddes told the jury: "I want to continue, but I understand jurors could be reluctant to cross the picket line and I can't force you to do so."

The court heard that three jurors were unhappy about the picket, so the case was adjourned until Monday.

The national strike by members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) follows a 2.8 per cent pay rise agreed by the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

Workers, who earn as little as £10,000 per year, want at least 3.1 per cent, in line with the inflation rate when the deal was finalised last year.

They also want a London-style weighting included in their salaries.

Paul Gibbons, who works in the bailiffs' office at the Oxford court centre, and a senior member of the PCS, said: "We have people employed in the court service who are on benefits.

"Twenty-five per cent of the civil service are earning below £13,000."

He said the department had imposed the pay rise before a ballot was taken over whether to accept it.

A Department for Constitutional Affairs spokesman said the pay award was a good one in view of public spending limits and would not be revised.

She said: "We have plans in place to ensure disruption to the public will be minimised."