PUBLIC services across Barrhead and Neilston will be crippled today (Wednesday 30) as thousands of public sector staff go on strike.

All East Renfrewshire Council services will be "severely" affected and most won't be available at all.

Most or all council buildings will be closed, but the authority aims to offer "a very basic level of service" at its main offices.

These are at 211 Main Street, Barrhead; Eastwood Park, Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock; 2 Spiersbridge Way Spiersbridge Business Park, Thornliebank, and Dickie Building, 1 Burnfield Avenue, Giffnock These offices, which will be picketed by strikers, are likely to close earlier than normal.

Residents who require access to services in an emergency situation such as housing repairs are advised to call 0141 577 3001.

How council services will be affected: Schools All primary, secondary, nursery schools and classes and family centres will be closed.

Home care The council says it will maintain a "basic" home care service during the day of industrial action. Home care clients have been contacted direct about how this might affect them which could include them having a different home care worker visit them than normal.

Also visits may not be at exactly the same time. The home care service will aim to ensure that the most vulnerable are prioritised during the day and "may need to ask family and friends to provide some support".

Roads and gritting Gritting services are likely to be affected on the day and the council is calling on drivers and pedestrians to take extra care if there are overnight icy conditions.

Refuse and recycling Any resident whose refuse bin or recycling is scheduled to be collected won't have it collected until the next scheduled collection date.

Greenhags recycling centre, Ayr Road, Newton Mearns is open from 8am until 6pm which means you can take any material for recycling to the centre direct throughout the day.

Registration of births, deaths and marriages The council's registration service will only be available from the council offices in Giffnock.

Emergency contacts The customer first line at 0141 577 3001 will have details of emergency contacts updated throughout the day.

Sports centres All council-run sports centres will be closed.

Libraries All libraries will be closed.

Community centres and halls All community centres and halls across East Renfrewshire will be closed.. Individuals and groups which had booked any of our community centres or halls for that day have been notified directly of the closure.

Eastwood Park Theatre All performances at Eastwood Park Theatre are cancelled.

Jobcentres The Jobcentre will be closed.

NHS Non-urgent operations and appointments are likely to be postponed - check with the appropriate facility for exact information.

Burials These are being postponed in some areas: information is not available for East Renfrewshire.

Courts Many or most courts will be closed and cases postponed because of striking court staff - anyone scheduled to appear should check the appropriate office voicemail message.