Employers have been weakened as Labour fuels a "new mood" of union militancy, the Conservatives have warned.

New figures published on Wednesday show that a million days were lost to strike action over the last year - twice the previous annual total.

Figures do not include strike action by fire fighters.

Tories believe the Labour government has given left-wing hardliners the whip hand over bosses

The party is predicting a new era of workplace class struggle.

Shadow trade and industry secretary, Tim Yeo, claims new employment rights have benefited union barons and weakened employers.

"Latest figures show strikes are back on the agenda," he said.

"For the first time since Labour came to power the consequences of recent changes in the balance between employers and union leaders are being felt."

"Forcing statutory recognition of trade Unions, weakening employer rights to dismiss strikers at the start of a strike and creating paid union learning reps are all strengthening the hand of union bosses."

"A new mood of militancy now threatens our previously good strike record."

The latest tally is the worst since 1996 - when the number of days lost to strike action hit 1.3 million.

That high followed industrial calm in the for most of the 90s.

Every year in the 1980s saw strike totals above the million mark under Margaret Thatcher.