HUNDREDS of York parents were today scrambling to organise child-care after a number of schools announced they were shutting tomorrow because of industrial action.

The full impact of the national pay strike by local government workers was sinking in, as local authorities revealed just how many services will be affected.

In York, refuse will go uncollected, the Central Library will be shut, the Edmund Wilson and Yearsley swimming pools and Oaklands sports centre will be closed, and public toilets are set to be locked up all day.

But the biggest impact upon parents will be the closure of schools, which some parents only found out about last night. Two secondary schools in the area will be shut all day - Fulford and Easingwold - affecting almost 2,500 pupils.

Fishergate Primary and Carr Infant and Junior Schools will also be shut, along with Fulford Cross Special School, Galtres Special School, and Lidgett Grove Special School.

City of York Council said Tang Hall Primary School's Early Years Unit, Haxby Road Foundation and Nursery School, and St Pauls Nursery School would also be shut.

Fulford school head Stephen Smith informed parents last night of his "difficult decision" to close the school for all pupils.

He apologised for the short notice and said he was well aware of child care arrangements that some parents would need to make.

He said the decision was taken because of the effect of the industrial action by some non-teaching staff, and the fact that school transport could not be rearranged in a manner which could satisfy the school's concerns over the safe return home of all pupils at an earlier time in the day.

Peter Household, a spokesman for Unison's York branch, claimed plenty of notice had been given to schools.

In North Yorkshire, a number of schools - mainly special schools and nursery schools requiring high levels of non-teaching support - will also be closed because of the strike action.

Other schools may have to close at lunchtime because of a shortage of midday supervisors, but it is not yet known how many.

Meanwhile, the county council has agreed with UNISON to ensure that personal care services for elderly and vulnerable people will be maintained - although respite care services may be affected.

In York, the council said that it and the unions had worked together to ensure vital services to vulnerable people will be maintained and emergencies will be dealt with. Key social services staff will be providing services.

Updated: 11:33 Tuesday, July 16, 2002