THURSDAY’S Arriva bus strike has been called off after the company agreed to fresh talks with unions.

Drivers walked out again today and were also due to strike on Thursday in their dispute over pay.

However, union Unite said Arriva had agreed to engage in “meaningful talks”. 

They said Thursday’s strike has been called off as a gesture of goodwill to the public.

Passengers have endured disruption over the past two months.

However, seven more strike dates are still planned before Christmas. The union says they will still go ahead if the pay dispute is not resolved.

A statement on the Arriva NW Industrial Action 2017 Facbook page said: “At a meeting tonight at Transport House a decision was made as a goodwill gesture to the travelling public to cancel the action on Thursday, December 7.

“The cancellation is as a result of a request of ours being granted by the company to engage in meaningful talks in an attempt to settle our pay claim.

“We have made our position absolutely clear that any future dates will continue should there not be a resolution.”

In a statement Phil Stone, managing director for Arriva North West commented: "We are pleased to see the trade unions have announced they have called off Thursday's proposed industrial action. 

“It is now the responsibility of us all to ensure we approach new negotiations in an open manner to get this dispute resolved. 

“We do not want to see further disruption to Arriva passengers,staff and local businesses in the run up to Christmas,"