The walkout started at 0730 BST on Thursday

The walk-out was started at the 60,000sqm development Drake Circus development on Thursday morning.

The men were allegedly suspended by the firm Bovis over health and safety breaches. But fellow workers say these breaches did not occur.

Bovis said the safety of the site was its first priority.

'Unfair dismissal'

Both men worked for Byrne Brothers, sub-contracted by Bovis.

One worker, Shaun Slater, said a card issuing system operated on site with workers being given a yellow card for any breach, which meant they could continue working on the site.

Any further breach could mean a red card and dismissal.

Mr Slater said: "These guys were not yellow carded, they were instantly red carded and sacked.

"We feel it's unfair dismissal.

"They were doing the right thing so we've gone on strike in protest."

The workers say they will continue the strike until their colleagues are reinstated.

P&O Developments, who are behind the project, say that after a day of meetings they are confident that the issue is resolved and work can continue on Friday but would not confirm if the men had been given back their jobs.