Parts of Britain could be facing a beer shortage in the run-up to Christmas after delivery drivers voted to go on strike over pay and conditions.

The action will affect deliveries of some of the nation's favourite booze brands including Carlsberg, Coors and Greene King to pubs, shops and suppliers.

It is likely to mainly affect London and the south east because the industrial action involves 100 drivers, draymen and warehouse staff at Tradeteam's Enfield depot.

The company, which distributes beer for the big name brewers, said other areas of the country were currently not impacted.

The depot workers' union, Unite, are to announce a 'rolling programme' of strike action over the weeks in the lead up to Christmas to call for a pay and conditions package that they claim management had done a u-turn on.

Parts of Britain could be facing a beer shortage in the run-up to Christmas after delivery drivers voted to go on strike over pay and conditions

This included a pay rise of 2.7 per cent a year for the next two years, a bonus scheme and extra overtime for Christmas shifts and to resolve other grievances such as drivers being sent out with overweight loads and being disciplined for lateness unfairly.

Unite regional officer, Paul Travers, said: 'What we are dealing with here is a culture of bad faith by management.

'Our members have now voted by a large majority for strike action and we will be announcing a rolling programme of industrial action in the run-up to Christmas.'

Tradeteam is the drinks distribution arm of delivery giant DHL. A DHL spokeswoman told trade journal Morning Advertiser: 'We are disappointed that

Unite has announced its intention to hold strike action at the Enfield site.

'Further talks are scheduled but contingency plans are in place and every effort will be made to minimise disruption to customer deliveries should the strike action go ahead.'

Tradeteam is one of the biggest drinks distribution firms in Britain, said Morning Advertiser, making 30,000 deliveries a week to pubs, bars and other licenced premises as well as 7,000 deliveries a week to off-trade sites, such as supermarkets and shops.