BBC journalists are to be balloted on strikes over job cuts, raising the threat of action over the festive season.

The National Union of Journalists said the move was in protest against cuts at the Asian Network and at BBC Scotland, BBC News and the World Service.

Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, said: "There is an agreed system of redeployment which is not being honoured.

"Recent events have proved that journalism needs to be properly resourced. The BBC needs to take the opportunity to halt the assault on frontline journalism."

A BBC spokesman said: "We have implemented all the redeployment commitments we agreed with the joint unions in a timetable agreed with them."