Jaguar was last night facing potential disruptions to production after industrial unrest broke out on two fronts.

The company, which builds three of its four models at Castle Bromwich in Birmingham, looked set to be hit by strikes at tyre supplier Pirelli and at a company that helps distribute its cars to dealers.

Workers at Pirelli Tyres' plants at Burton-upon-Trent and Carlisle, which supply high performance tyres to a number of other carmakers, have voted "overwhelmingly" for industrial action after rejecting a 2.2 per cent pay offer.

Shop stewards from the Transport and General Work-ers' Union will meet later this week to decide what action to take.

The union said 482 members, 66.4 per cent of its membership at Pirelli, voted for action with 244 (33.6 per cent) saying no.

A second union, Amicus, which represents about 200 employees, is also balloting its members.

"The overwhelming vote in favour of industrial action shows the strength of feeling against the company's 2.2 per cent final pay offer," said Peter Booth, T&GWU national organiser for manufacturing.

"Pirelli Tyres is one of the most profitable parts of the group and our members clearly feel that a below-inflation offer does not reflect their expectations, particularly with rising energy prices."

In the second dispute, Jaguar, along with other major car manufacturers in Britain, will be badly hit by a strike of 35 vehicle handlers, it was claimed last night.

The T&GWU has called the first in what it says will be series of 24-hour stoppages today at sites including Castle Bromwich and Bordesley Green in Birmingham in a dispute over pay.

Car factories are currently in the summer shutdown, but the strikes could eventually create a logjam of vehicles waiting to be shipped to dealers.

The vehicle handlers, who are employed by French-owned automotive logistics company STVA, are responsible for moving vehicles off trains and truck transporters.

Bob Shaw, a T&GWU regional organiser, said pay talks with STVA had broken down and handlers would stage 24-hour walkouts at the compounds, which also include sites at Cowley in Oxford and Bathgate in Scotland, for the next ten weeks.

"They are responsible for handling cars worth tens of thousands of pounds," Mr Shaw said.

The value of the cars was in "stark contrast" to the relatively low pay of the handlers, who earn £278 for a 39-hour week.

The union is holding out for a £22 a week rise.