The Science Museum will be hit by strike action on Wednesday

Curators and other workers at the Science Museum in London will take part in the protest over a below-inflation wage offer and cost-cutting measures.

The National Railway Museum in York and the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television in Bradford will also be hit by the action.

The strike comes midway during school half-term holidays.

Staff have rejected a 2.5% pay offer, which unions say was below inflation and "derisory".

Catherine Craig, negotiations officer for the Public and Commercial Services Union, said: "Our members are left with no option but to strike.

"Any inconvenience caused is regrettable and we would advise people planning visits to the museums affected to visit on an alternative day."

'Financial crisis'

Prospect union negotiator Emily Boase said: "Our members care passionately about the museum and having a real-terms cut in their wages is bad enough.

"But they feel this derisory offer, which reneges on previous pay promises, is indicative of the wider financial crisis facing the museum which threatens the fabric of the exhibits and the services that the public have a right to expect.

"World-class museums do not come on the cheap but simply relying on the goodwill of staff is no longer an option."

The National Museum of Science and Industry (NMSI) runs the three museums, and said that while the Science Museum would close, the other two would remain open on Wednesday.

Dr Lindsay Sharp, NMSI director, said: "We are disappointed at the decision to take strike action.

"At the same time, we are sympathetic to the circumstances which have led many to consider this action necessary. However, NMSI simply cannot afford to improve upon the offer of 2.5%.

"The Science Museum, NRM and NMPFT are not art galleries. Looking at paintings doesn't wear them out but intensive use of interactives to inspire and involve children and families costs a very great deal to maintain and repair.