AROUND 100 food delivery drivers took part in a strike in Bournemouth to fight for better pay and treatment.

The delivery riders strike took place in Bournemouth at the end of last month, with around 100 drivers attending to protest against pay and treatment issues.

The group are fighting for more pay as they struggle to make ends meet on their wages due to the rising cost of life and fuel.

Ricardo Sarmento, a delivery driver who participated in the demonstration, said he barely makes enough money to feed his family on his current wage.

Ricardo said: "We want to claim better payments for delivery.

"At the moment we are dealing with reduced payments, long trips, and with the increase in fuel and vehicle maintenance, there is not much left to support our families and bills in general.

"We also want to claim more respect for businesses and other drivers who use the road and more security and incentives by app companies.

"For many, it may not even be important, but for those who work under the sun, rain, wind and very cold, the shutdown is necessary."

One food delivery company, which is popular in the town, responded to the strike.

Deliveroo said they were not aware of any of their riders taking part in the strike.

A spokesperson said: “Deliveroo is proud to offer flexible work to more than 85,000 self-employed riders across the UK and, in Bournemouth the overwhelming majority of riders - over 85% - say they are satisfied with riding for Deliveroo.

"Our way of working is designed around what riders tell us matters to them most - flexibility - with riders paid for each delivery they choose to complete and they always earn more than the national minimum wage while working with us. In most cases, riders earn significantly more than this.

"We also have a dedicated rider team in place who are on hand to help riders with any concerns they have and make sure they feel supported at all times.”