BUS drivers continue their battle for a better pay deal today with a second day of action.

Stagecoach staff from Stockton, Hartlepool and Darlington will be involved in their fight for a standardised rate of pay.

The company outlined the pay deals on offer - but the drivers said this left out the removal of weekend premium rates and the fact they would not be able to return to the negotiating table until 2003.

Michael Riley, Transport and General Workers' Union branch secretary at Stockton, said their aim was to have an even rate for all staff.

He said staff in Darlington were on a lower rate than those in Hartlepool and Stockton, who, in turn were on less than those in Newcastle and South Shields.

"We want £6 to be the basic rate for drivers this year, as opposed to £7 in the north of the region," he said, adding many of the lower paid staff claimed family credit because they were on the minimum wage.

Today's 24-hour strike will see a complete shutdown of services in Darlington and limited routes in action on Teesside.

Authorities have been trying to organise alternative services in place for school runs.

Stockton Borough Council said services for children with special needs and youngsters who live a long way from their schools will run as normal.

Darlington Borough Council has managed to cover all but two-and-a-half school routes while Hartlepool Borough Council is making alternative arrangements for special needs children.

No one at Stagecoach was available for comment yesterday