The National Union of Teachers warned it could declare industrial action because of the education secretary's determination to introduce performance related pay for the profession.

Doug McAvoy: Describes the strike vote as "knife-edge"

The meeting in Harrogate - on the eve of the Labour Party Conference - heard angry denunciations of the 34% rise given to the much-despised chief schools inspector Chris Woodhead.

Teachers are likely to get far less when their pay review body sets its award. David Blunkett has instructed it to bear in mind the inflation target of 2.5%.

Executive member Malcolm Horne told delegates: "I believe that everybody in this hall is worth double the award given to this man [Mr Woodhead] and we should get it."

Teachers are outraged at the schools inspector's 34% pay hike

NUT general secretary Doug McAvoy told delegates: "There is no doubt this union is right to oppose performance related pay.

"I believe in opposing it we will have the support of our members and the profession as a whole."

He warned Mr Blunkett he could force the union into industrial action by forcing through reform.

"If we find the government determined to impose old-style pupil-related payment by results, we would have strike action," he said.

But delegates failed to hold a vote on industrial action, as scheduled, after five hours of debate.

The education secretary argues performance related pay is vital to modernise the teaching profession, proposing bonuses for those who demonstrate 'competencies'.

David Blunkett: Backing performance related pay

Mr Blunkett attempted to defuse some anger on Friday when he called on the pay review body not to phase the increase, as occurred last year.

But this was taken as confirmation that ministers were looking for a modest increase.