Rail strike suspended for new talks

A planned strike by train drivers tomorrow in a row over pay has been suspended so that fresh talks can be held.

Members of Aslef at First TransPennine Express (FTPE) took industrial action yesterday and were due to walk out again for 24 hours from midnight.

The union announced that the action had been suspended so fresh talks can be held over pay.

The company, which runs trains between Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, York, Sheffield, Doncaster, the North East and the Lake District, had been planning to operate an amended timetable tomorrow.

Managing director Vernon Barker said: "This is good news for our customers travelling to and from work or for events across our network ahead of the bank holiday weekend.

"I want to apologise to customers that may have been inconvenienced earlier in the week. We will be endeavouring to operate our normal timetable on Friday."

PA