Union leaders are balloting home care workers over potential strike action as a pay dispute escalates.

Officials claim Renfrewshire Council want lifeline care staff to receive 67p more an hour despite "hugely increased" responsibilities.

Home care workers are being asked by GMB Scotland whether they want to take industrial action after the first review of their jobs, grades and salaries since 2007.

The results of the consultative ballot is expected later this month.

Kirsten Muat, GMB Scotland organiser, said: "For far too long, carers in Renfrewshire Council have been undervalued and underpaid and now, the authority has a chance to change that but it’s not gone nearly far enough.

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"Carers are on the frontline of our communities every day, supporting some of the most vulnerable Scots.

"It is difficult, physically demanding work requiring skills, knowledge, experience and an absolute commitment to those people needing care and support.

"This service has been running on the goodwill of carers but that goodwill is being needlessly jeopardised.

"Our members will now take whatever action they feel necessary to see the value of their work properly recognised and to protect the people they care for."

A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: "At the request of Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) we carried out a job evaluation to consider a more developed Home Care Worker role. 

"This followed the national job evaluation process and we continue to engage with Trade Unions in respect of this."