ANGRY residents were forced to apply for crisis loans as strikes crippled public services across the region.

Some people were unable to access benefits as hundreds of protesting civil servants walked out yesterday.

Further disruption is expected today at job centres, tax offices, driving test centres and courts as a result of a 48-hour strike against changes to redundancy packages.

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union walkout is the biggest outbreak of industrial unrest in the service since 1987.

And union leaders say it is a response to the Government slashing up to a third off entitlements under the civil service compensation scheme for workers facing redundancy.

They say it will mean employees losing tens of thousands of pounds if they are forced out of a job.

The Government is looking to save £500 million through the changes.

However, residents queuing outside Hanley's Jobcentre Plus yesterday were angry about the lack of notice about the strike.

Single mother Claire Herriman was told her income support was not available.

The 36-year-old, from Baddeley Green, said: "I spent an hour-and-a-half on the phone trying to get money sorted.

"In the end they told me to come for a crisis loan."

Zoe Withers, of Hanley, had a benefits interview postponed.

The 19-year-old said: "Everyone has been coming out saying they can't sign on and have applied for crisis loans."

Andy Gething, union representative for Hanley's Revenue & Customs (HMRC) office, yesterday picketed the building with about 10 colleagues.

The 47-year-old said 187 of about 250 workers at Blackburn House, Old Hall Street, had walked out.

He said: "We are being made to pay for the consequences of the financial crisis."

Peter Rofe, PCS representative for the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) in North Staffordshire, said 488 out of 650 members took part.

He said: "We know job cuts are on the cards and the Government is trying to do it as cheaply as possible."

Up to 270,000 workers are expected to take part in the industrial action nationwide.

PCS ballot results found 63.4 per cent of union members backed the action.

An HMRC spokesman advised customers to delay until Wednesday, as they may have to wait longer than usual in inquiry centres.

A DWP spokesman said all job centres were open and 98 per cent of customers had received automated payments.