STRIKING tanker drivers will step up their action next week with pickets outside ConocoPhillips' Killingholme refinery.

The tanker drivers working for Wincanton are angry at threatened cuts to their pensions and terms and conditions of work.

Unite union, representing the drivers, warned the industrial action will halt Jet oil tankers for 14 consecutive days, starting on Thursday.

The union claimed the action already taken had disrupted fuel supplies to Jet petrol stations.

As reported, Wincanton's 123 oil tanker drivers, working on the ConocoPhillips contract, walked off the job at 5am on Tuesday.

Unite's regional spokesman for Lincolnshire, Dave Monaghan said: "ConocoPhillips could well afford to pay Wincanton a fair rate for the job. Conoco- Phillips holds the key to settling the dispute."

A spokesman for ConocoPhillips was unavailable for comment.