TALKS are to go ahead in an attempt to end a dispute that brought the Tyne and Wear Metro system to a halt last weekend.

The system operator, Nexus, said that the negotiations with four unions involved in the industrial action will take place on Thursday and Friday.

Two 24-hour stoppages last week saw services disrupted from Friday evening until Tuesday morning. It cost the company £250,000 in lost revenue.

The long-running row is over pay and working hours for staff.

Unions want an increase in pay, linked to a reduction in the working week.

Nexus has said it agreed to a 2.5 per cent rise backdated from October last year, and a 36-hour week from next month.

The unions are seeking an above-inflation pay rise and a 35-hour week, and said the proposed hours deal was rejected because of conditions attached that would change working conditions.