Drivers on the Croydon Tramlink have voted to strike in a row over their pay.

Members of the Aslef union voted unanimously in favour of the walkout with a turnout of 82 per cent after talks with operator FirstGroup broke down.

In a statement today, Aslef said: "Tramlink is vital to the success of Croydon and surrounding areas. But the hard-working staff who deliver the service are seeing their standards of living fall while FirstGroup uses its profits to reward fat cat executives.

"This is a huge mandate for strike action. A 100 per cent yes vote on a turnout of 82 per cent is way beyond that required by the new anti-trade union law.”

FirstGroup, a multinational company with interests including the Greyhound bus network in the United States and Canada, operates the tram network under a concession with Transport for London (TfL) branding.

A spokesman for the company said it was "very disappointed" the ballot for strike action had taken place.

Drivers on the tram network earn an average of £36,000 a year, according to the union, a salary which it claims is much less than staff on other TfL networks such as the London Underground and the Docklands Light Railway (DLR).

The union said recent cuts to FirstGroup’s pension scheme for tram drivers had left members facing extra costs of up to £120 a month, "much more than the pay rise offered, leaving staff much worse of in real terms".

Aslef's executive committee said it was prepared to re-enter to talks with the company to resolve the dispute but warned that stike action "may become inevitable" if its demands are not met.

In 2014 FirstGroup chief executive Tim O'Toole faced criticism after it emerged his annual pay had risen by 86 per cent to almost £2m, despite the company experiencing financial difficulties.

A spokesman for the company said: "We're very disappointed Aslef have taken this ballot for strike action, which was taken against the recommendation of union negotiators, and in spite of the fact that we believed we had arrived at a suitable settlement with union members.

"A strike will bring massive disruption to customers.

"We ask Aslef to continue to join us around the table to seek a solution that will bring this dispute to a satisfactory conclusion for everyone."

Are you a tram driver who voted for strike action? Call the newsdesk on 020 8722 6388 or email daniel.omahony@newsquest.co.uk