Unions have announced that thousands of workers at consumer goods company Unilever are set to stage 24-hour strikes over pensions.

The strikes will take place at eight sites across the UK for up to 12 days from 17 January. Brands that will be affected by the strike action will be Marmite, PG Tips, Dove, Pot Noodle and Hellman's Mayonaise.

The strike action has been sparked by a dispute over pensions. Trade union, Unite says that workers are angry about Unilever's plans to close its final salary pension scheme and transfer current members to a scheme that is deemed by the workers and unions to be inferior. Also backing the action are trade unions Usdaw and the GMB.

The BBC report that Unilever are "deeply concerned by the disproportionate action" that the unions are taking.