ABOUT 600 station staff across the region have called off strike action after troubled rail operator Arriva offered them a fresh deal.

The breakthrough came yesterday, after bosses at Arriva Trains Northern met with the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) and the Rail Maritime Transport Union (RMT).

Steve Coe, of the TSSA, said: "The meeting was constructive and we are making reasonable progress. In the light of that, we have suspended industrial action."

He said the move would not affect the ongoing conductors' strike, which is a separate dispute.

Ray Price, managing director, Arriva Trains Northern, said: "Arriva Trains Northern, the RMT and TSSA met today for talks over the current station and retail employee dispute.

"The trade unions have agreed to suspend industrial action so that talks can continue over the coming weeks in an effort to resolve this dispute in a positive environment."