MORE than half of Halton’s schools will close tomorrow because of a national teachers’ strike.

Members of the National Union of Teachers are walking out in protest over excessive workload and bureaucracy, unfair changes to their pensions and the dismantling of their pay scales.

Halton Council has confirmed that 21 schools across Runcorn and Widnes will shut and 16 will remain partially open.

Avis Gilmore, north west regional secretary of the NUT, said: “Teachers deeply regret the disruption caused by this strike action but whilst the Government refuses to talk about the issues our members have they have no alternative other than to demonstrate the seriousness of their concerns.

“Teachers’ levels of workload are intolerable.They are being asked to work to the age of 68 or even later for a full pension.

“Everyone should be entitled to a decent standard of living now and in retirement.”