Technicians and engineers working for BBC TV news are to stage a 24-hour strike on the day of the state opening of Parliament, disrupting all live programming, it was announced yesterday.

The Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union (Bectu) said the walkout by almost 100 members from 10pm next Tuesday will affect the BBC's coverage of the annual event on November 15.

Further industrial action will be taken on November 23 and 24, although Bectu has yet to announce what form it will take.

The dispute flared after the union accused the BBC of changing established rotas and tearing up local agreements.

Union spokesman, Luke Craw-ley, said the strike would disrupt live news programmes on BBC1 as well as output on BBC News 24.

"We are targeting coverage of the state opening of Parliament and we are hoping to cause problems," he said.