Staff at drinks giant Diageo will be balloted on taking industrial action in a dispute over pensions.

The GMB union is polling 1500 members in Scotland, saying company proposals to close the final salary pension scheme would leave workers "considerably worse off".

New starters will be placed on an inferior scheme, said the union.

The ballot will run for three weeks, with union members being asked what measures they are willing to take.

Liz Gordon, GMB regional officer, said: "Once again we see an employer happy to end its employees' chance of a decent retirement while bloating its bosses' bank balances.

"It's only because of the hundreds of hard-working staff employed at Diageo that it has managed to generate financial successes, and now the company intends to reward their hard work with further cuts to their pensions."

A Diageo spokesman said: "We have been engaged with employees and their representatives in a consultative review of the company's final salary pension scheme since February and we have now entered a period of formal consultation on proposed changes.

"At this point no decisions have been made and we will continue to discuss the options with employees and their representatives."

Diageo is the world's largest producer of spirits, and a major beer producer, with brands such as Smirnoff, Bell's and Guinness on its portfolio.