Unions and employers were urged yesterday to return to the negotiating table as Scotland faces the prospect of more council pay strikes.

The appeal was issued by Finance Secretary John Swinney, who also said councils could expect no extra money from the Scottish Government.

But Mr Swinney came under fire from the Liberal Democrats, who urged the government to intervene in the wrangle.

Mr Swinney's appeal came after three local authority trade unions yesterday failed to secure a higher pay offer.

This has paved the way for a fresh wave of strikes of the type which saw 150,000 council workers stage a one-day walkout last month, throwing public services into chaos.

Mr Swinney said: "I would encourage both parties, as I have done personally and publicly, to come to an agreement round the table and to resolve the issues at stake."

Unions have accused the employers of a "total misjudgment", but the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities said this year's pay offer could not be increased. Last month's walkout was triggered by a pay offer of 2.5% for each of the next three years.

Unions said the employers then "indicated" they would offer a one-year deal that would take recent inflation rises into account, but only came up with a one-year offer of 2.5%.

The three unions - Unison, Unite and the GMB - are to meet within days to discuss strike dates.

Mr Swinney added: "We all want to avoid a situation where there is any disruption to members of the public as a consequence of industrial action that may follow."

But he gave no indication that any extra cash would be forthcoming. "We have allocated the money that we've got available," he said.