Thousands of British Airways cabin crew have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strikes in a row over pay, threatening disruption to flights over the Christmas period.

If the strike goes ahead, more than 2,500 workers in BA's so-called Mixed Fleet would walk-out on as-yet-unspecified dates after 21 December.

The dispute involves cabin crew who have joined the airline since 2010, with Unite claiming they earn less than other staff.

Unite said its members backed walkouts by 4-1 and turnout in the ballot was 60%.

Unite regional officer Matt Smith said: "Our members have overwhelmingly voted for strike action because British Airways' pay rates are indefensible and the crew are at breaking point.

"Significant numbers of crew are taking on second jobs, many go to work unfit to fly because they can't afford to be sick. British Airways bosses need to wake up to the anger and the injustice here.

"We urge British Airways to avoid this dispute and do the right thing by both the front line staff and the travelling public, by engaging with Unite to negotiate a genuinely meaningful way forward."

A BA spokesman said: