CLAIMS that scores of striking conductors defied their union to return to work at the weekend have been denied by union leaders.

Following claims by Arriva that up to 70 conductors left the picket lines in the latest 24-hour stoppage of the long-running pay dispute on Saturday, the Rail Maritime Union (RMT) described the figure as a "gross exaggeration".

Stan Herschel, RMT regional organiser, said: "After eight months and 18 days of strikes, we still have 90 per cent of our members supporting the action, and that is a tremendous achievement.

"Out of 700 conductors, our figures showed that there were just 35 at work and that included 12 who had been from the start.

"That's a great achievement and I'm proud of the members who have stuck it out for so long, and we are determined to see it through."

The strike that ended at midnight on Saturday was the 18th since the action - the longest the RMT has ever conducted - began. Arriva has offered a four per cent pay rise but the RMT has rejected this, demanding parity between drivers' and conductors' pay.

Mr Herschel said the RMT still had huge public support.

He said: "In all the months this dispute has been running, I have received just four letters of complaint from the public."

Arriva Trains Northern, which usually runs about 1,600 services a day, said more than 75 per cent of them operated on Saturday.

Managing director Ray Price said: "Our employees are beginning to vote with their feet, as about 70 conductors have decided to work on strike days. We remain available for meaningful talks with the union at any time."

* Franchises for the Northern and Trans-Pennine networks, which will be created when Arriva's franchise is split in two in February, have yet to be awarded by the Strategic Rail Authority, it emerged yesterday.

While bids have been submitted for the Newcastle to Liverpool Trans-Pennine link, it is not thought that bidding for the Northern franchise will begin before next year