The strike by 8,000 women staff in Glasgow over equal pay appeared to be escalating on day one as more workers downed tools to show their support.

The council said it was receiving reports of secondary strike action affecting cleansing services and its Glasgow Life libraries, arts and sports facilities as the two-day walk-out began.

It warned the strike by care workers, school meals staff and others was 'unnecessary and dangerous'.

A rally was taking place in the city centre as unions reported a big turnout in the 12-year-old dispute over women claiming equal pay with men.

The council said 120 care home beds had been identified for use in case the most frail or vulnerable people needed to be taken into respite care.

Social workers have been drafted in to provide welfare checks to as many of the other 2,300 ‘priority’ service users as they can, and 40 agency staff had also been engaged.

Talks were under way with the Red Cross to help with food preparation which caters for 1,600 people each morning and afternoon.

In a statement, the council told LocalGov: 'This strike is unnecessary and dangerous.

'Unnecessary because the council is absolutely committed to delivering equal pay and reaching a negotiated settlement, and dangerous because its impact will be felt most keenly by the most vulnerable people in the city.

'We understand why many of our workforce are angry about equal pay, but there is nothing that this strike can achieve that we are not already doing.'