Idle cranes seen from Shotley underline the effects of industrial action at UK's largest container port.

Nearly 2,00 dock workers have today started the first of eight days of striker action at the Port of Felixstowe in a row over pay.

Members of the Unite union, include some living on the Shotley peninsula, rejected a 7% pay offer from the Felixstowe Dock and Railway Company, which it said was below the rate of inflation.

A picket line formed outside the dock gates early on Sunday as the strike began, and the union said it would be manned until 10pm on each day of the walkout. 

Cranes at the Port of Felixstowe not being operated (Picture credit: Nub News)

Miles Hubbard, from Unite's regional office, told the BBC: "Very few people reported for work this morning. 

"The picket line has been in place since 6am and we're getting great support from the public."

Virtually all the cranes at the dock lay idle the morning, with only the DFDS ferry and the Evergeen's Ever Alot, at the port

About 2,550 people work at the Port of Felixstowe - the country's busiest port, handling about 48% of the UK's container trade. Striking workers include crane drivers, machine operators and stevedores who load and unload ships. 

Ahead of the strike, port spokesman Paul Davey said workers had been offered 7% plus a single payment of £500.

He said the offer represented "an increase of between 8.1% and 9.6%, depending upon the category of worker at the port", at a time when the average pay increase in the country was 5%.

"We've got a shrinking economy, we're going into recession... I think that's a very fair offer indeed," he said.

The Port of Felixstowe said in a statement: "The company is disappointed that Unite has not taken up our offer to call off the strike and come to the table for constructive discussions to find a resolution.

"We recognise these are difficult times but, in a slowing economy, we believe that the company's offer, worth over 8% on average in the current year and closer to 10% for lower paid workers, is fair.

"Unite has failed our employees by not consulting them on the offer and, as a result, they have been put in a position where they will lose pay by going on strike.

"The port regrets the impact this action will have on UK supply chains. We are grateful for the support we have had from our customers and are working with them to mitigate disruption.

"The port provides secure and well-paid employment and there will be no winners from this unnecessary industrial action."