A total of 24 primaries, three secondaries and six special schools will all remain closed tomorrow as clerical and janitorial staff take part in the 24-hour walkout.

A further 15 schools will only be open to certain year groups.

School lunches will also be affected by tomorrow's industrial action, with just 16 of the city's primary, secondary and special schools offering a meal to pupils.

Youngsters at all other schools will have to take a packed lunch.

Services provided by lollipop men and women could also be affected by the strike.

In Midlothian, only ten schools will be open to pupils tomorrow, with all nurseries in the area closed.

All schools in West Lothian will be open tomorrow, except nursery schools and special schools and there will be no school meals.

Meals on Wheels and lunch clubs in Midlothian will also be cancelled on Wednesday.

Around 200,000 public service workers across Scotland are expected to take part in tomorrow's walkout, disrupting a number of council services.

Libraries, museums, art galleries and social work offices will be closed, while the disruption will also pour out onto the street with many bins being left uncollected.

Scottish members of Unison, Unite and GMB all voted in favour of industrial action in protest against the offer of a 2.5 per cent pay rise each year for three years.

Jimmy Farrelly, Unite regional official said: "Inflation levels are spiralling with food, petrol and utility bills going through the roof. People are already struggling to keep on top of mortgage repayments and rent rises but this pay offer will see our members suffer a huge cut in their living standards."

Councillor Gordon Mackenzie today said the council would do its best to maintain services.

He said: "There will definitely be some disruption to services but we will try to make sure that we preserve lifeline services for the people of Edinburgh.

"We have contingency arrangements in place and will continue to gather information about what is likely to happen on the day.

"The fact that there is a strike at all is very disappointing.

"Everyone is aware of the difficult economic situation generally, but we have to hope that there is a realistic and fair outcome from negotiations between COSLA and the unions."

Last year, Unison members in Edinburgh staged a one-day strike over service cuts, which affected 122 schools, nurseries and community centres.

• In yesterday's Evening News, it was wrongly stated that Edinburgh's gyms and swimming pools will be closed by strike action this week.

Edinburgh Leisure facilities and services will operate as usual tomorrow, except at Queensferry High School, which will close at 5.30pm. We apologise for the error.

Schools closed to all pupils:

Balgreen Primary School
Canal View Primary School
Carrick Knowe Primary School
Corstorphine Primary School
Craigentinny Primary School
Craiglockhart Primary School
Cramond Primary School
Currie Primary School
Dalmeny Primary School
Dalry Primary School
Duddingston Primary School
East Craigs Primary School
Echline Primary School
Gilmerton Primary School
Leith Walk Primary School
Longstone Primary School
Parson's Green Primary School
Preston Street Primary School
Roseburn Primary School
Royal Mile Primary School
Sighthill Primary School
St John's RC
Stenhouse Primary School
Towerbank Primary School
Balerno Community Secondary School
Tynecastle High Secondary School
Wester Hailes Education Centre
Gorgie Mills Special School
Kaimes Special School
Panmure St Anne's Special School
Pilrig Park Special School
Rowanfield Special School
St Crispin's Special School


The following schools will only be open for the following year groups:

St Ninian's RC Primary Primary 1 only
Boroughmuir High School Open to S4, S5, S6
Broughton High School Open to S5/6
Craigmount High School Open to S5/S6
Craigroyston Community High Open to S3 to S6