Civilian sailors who support the Royal Navy have for the first time voted for strike action over a significant erosion in pay in a move that could impact UK security.

A union representing hundreds of Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) officers said 79% of its members voted in favour of striking should efforts to secure an improved pay deal fail.

Such a move, if it went ahead, would have a direct impact on UK military operations globally.

"The RFA is critical for the tasks that the Royal Navy does as well as supporting wider UK interests abroad," said Martyn Gray, director of organising at the Nautilus International union.

It was an RFA ship - RFA Lyme Bay - that recently delivered hundreds of pallets of aid and medical supplies to Egypt to be transferred into Gaza.