METRO operator Nexus has pledged to run a service tomorrow, despite strike action by train drivers.

Aslef, the train drivers' union which represents just over a third of Metro train drivers, is striking over pay - on the first commuting day on the Sunderland extension.

It is the first of six proposed strike dates, including May 7, the day the Queen is due to officially open the Metro extension to Sunderland.

The union has turned down an increased pay offer of 3.8 per cent on an average basic salary of £23,400 for drivers.

The company said it had also offered a reduction in the working week, from 37 to 35 hours.

Nexus director Mike Parker said: "Despite this strike action we are determined to run a service on Tuesday.

"We are very disappointed that Aslef has chosen to strike on the first commuting day that we are trying to attract thousands of new customers to join us on the Sunderland extension.

"If we had given in to their demands of five per cent it would have cost us an additional third of a million pounds a year, the equivalent of a fares increase.

"A large amount of effort has been put in by Nexus, Railtrack and Sunderland City Council to bring the Metro to Sunderland.

"If we are going to develop our business we cannot afford to deter customers."