Thousands of bus workers across South East London are set to walk out in a one day strike over pay.

Members of the Unite union will stage a walk out on January 13 as part of a long running campaign for a single agreement covering their pay, terms and conditions.

Bus drivers and other workers from Stagecoach will be taking industrial action, severely impacting bus services in Lewisham and Greenwich.

Unite's London regional officer, Wayne King, said: "Strike action is not a step our members take lightly, but bus workers who keep London moving 24 hours a day, seven days a week, have had enough of pay inequality and unfair pay disparities.

"The blame for the disruption that strike action will cause sits squarely with London's bus companies.

"They have repeatedly ignored our offers for collective talks and need to get their heads out of the sand and start negotiating about ending pay inequality on London's buses."

Unite also said that in contrast to Tube drivers, there is no collective pay deal for bus drivers with wages negotiated on a company by company basis.

This has lead to more than 80 different pay rates for drivers doing the same job, leading to differences in hourly rates of over £3, said Unite.

Transport for London's Director of Buses, Mike Weston, said: "The current system provides the best value for money for the residents and visitors to London and allows the individual bus companies to determine the best terms and conditions for their individual operating requirements.

"We are very disappointed that Unite have decided to disrupt Londoners by announcing strike action, particularly given the low turnout for the ballot, and would urge to them think again."

A Stagecoach spokesman said: "We are currently assessing the likely impact of the proposed action. Not all our drivers are covered by this dispute.

"We will aim to operate as many of our services as possible for customers. Information on planned service levels across London will be provided on the TFL website."