At least 19 Bradford schools will be forced to close or partially close tomorrow because of a one-day strike.

About 12,000 council workers in Bradford are expected to take part in the industrial action over plans to change their retirement age.

The walk-out will cause massive disruption across the district, closing schools and household waste depots and causing reduced services at City Hall, council offices and libraries.

Schools are being forced to close because teaching assistants, caretakers, transport staff and dinner ladies are taking part in the strike.

Anthony Mugan, head of Bradford Council's Education Client Team, said: "So far we have heard 19 schools are expected to close or partially close tomorrow due to industrial action."

The action is also expected to disrupt social services, benefits, leisure services, transport, environmental health, catering and cleaning. Six public sector unions voted in favour of a strike after rejecting the Government's pension proposals.

Unison expects 70 per cent of all Bradford Council staff to walk-out - about 12,000 workers - although emergency highways teams and social services for the vulnerable will be in place. Unison spokesman Patrick Kerry said: "We believe that after tomorrow the Government will be seeking to meet with the trades unions to get some agreement on the pension issue."

A Government spokesman said no talks had been scheduled ahead of the strike.

Household waste sites will also be closed. Richard Wixey, the Council's director of environmental services, said: "Regrettably, while every effort will be made to empty wheeled household bins as normal on Tuesday, it is likely that most refuse collection crews will be on strike."

For more information call (01274) 432616 for sports centres and swimming pools, (01274) 433641 for libraries or check the Council's website www.bradford.gov.uk.

It is expected that Bradford City Hall and Keighley Town Hall will be open to the public tomorrow but both Shipley and Ilkley Town Hall are likely to be closed.

Bus and train passengers could face some disruption as some employees who work at travel centres take part in the action but bus and train services are not expected to be affected.

The following schools and nurseries will be closed tomorrow:

Nurseries:

Abbey Green in Manningham,

Strong Close in Keighley.

Primary:

Bradford Moor Community Primary School's nursery and reception;

Farnham Primary nursery.

Horton Park Primary School will be open to year six only.

Lidget Green Primary nursery. The breakfast club and after-school club may decide to close because of lack of lunch-time supervision.

Southmere Primary School;

St Joseph's, Keighley, nursery and reception.

St Philip's CE Primary School;

Swain House Primary School nursery.

Secondary:

Grange Technology College will be open for years nine to 13 only; Wyke Manor; Tong School.

Special:

Branshaw in Keighley; Chapel Grange;

Greenfield; Lister Lane;

Netherlands Avenue school and community nursery; Wedgwood school and community nursery.