Secondary school teachers will resume strike action as part of an ongoing dispute over cuts.

Teachers across West Dunbartonshire’s secondary schools are set to recommence a programme of strike action over cuts to principal teacher posts.

Industrial action began in January with five schools across the local authority area closing while teachers picketed outside.

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), the country’s largest union for teachers and lecturers, then suspended the programme of action to allow teachers to be balloted on a revised proposal from the council.

However, following a significant rejection of the proposal in the ballot, the strike action will now continue.

The EIS emergency committee on Friday gave approval to four more days of strike action in West Dunbartonshire secondary schools.

Two days of strike action will be held next week, on Wednesday March 30 and Thursday March 31. A further two days of strike action will be held on Tuesday April 26 and Wednesday April 27.

EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said: "Our members in West Dunbartonshire remain resolute in their opposition to cuts to Principal teacher posts in the authority’s Secondary schools.

"The decision to recommence strike action, following a very clear ballot result, reflects the continuing concern over the potential detrimental impact of the council’s proposals on learning and teaching in schools.

"The EIS has written to West Dunbartonshire Council today, advising that the industrial action campaign has been reinstated.

"We remain open to further dialogue in the hope of agreeing a resolution to the dispute, and would urge the council administration to rethink their latest proposal in order to better address legitimate concerns over the educational impact of their plans."