BUS drivers are celebrating after a deal was struck yesterday, Tuesday, to resolve a long-running pay dispute which has put an end to the rest of the proposed strikes.

Workers and members of union Unite voted in favour of accepting a two-deal with Arrival North West which mean drivers will receive two per cent more in the first year of their pay packages than the bus operator offered.

The agreement, which affects more than 2,000 bus drivers in 11 depots including St Helens' Jackson Street base, will see drivers receiving a 3.2 per cent increase in the first year- which started in April 2017- and 2.6 in the second one.

Arriva's original first year offer was a 0.9 per cent increase.

Unite regional officer John Boughton said: “This pay deal that our members have overwhelmingly accepted is a considerable improvement when set against the company’s original offer.

“I would like to thank our members for the solidarity they have shown during this dispute and the fantastic support they received from the public and local politicians across the north west, which greatly contributed to this victory for pay justice.

“The bus drivers now look forward to doing what they do best, which is helping people to travel to work, getting to the shops, and visiting their friends and loved ones.

"The planned industrial action in the run-up to Christmas has been called off.

“Unite looks forward to working in a constructive fashion with the management going forward.”