COMMUNITY colleges and some primary schools in West Devon are expected to be closed today (Thursday) as part of a one-day teachers' strike.

Members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) are planning industrial action over pay, conditions and pensions.

Both Tavistock and Okehampton College said the majority of staff belonged to these two main teaching unions and with so many of them absent they would not be able to guarantee the safety of the children or the smooth running of the schools.

Parents have been informed through letters and via the school's websites.

Principal of Tavistock College Helen Salmon said: 'Neither the governing body nor the principal are legally allowed to close the college 'in sympathy' with the strike and we will not do so.

'However, our main concern is the safety of our students, therefore the college will reluctantly have to close to all students as in the opinion of the senior leadership team, it is not safe to remain open.

'If action is prolonged we will endeavour to protect the education of those students on examination courses.'

The industrial action affects schools in the South West, South East, North East and London and follows a strike which took place two weeks ago which affected 49 authorities in the East of England, the Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber. It came after Education Secretary Michael Gove refused to negotiate with the unions.

Okehampton and Callington community colleges will be open to sixth form students who would like to use the facilities to undertake private study.

Daryll Chapman, principal of Okehampton College, said two planned trips to London were still going ahead this week.