BUS drivers lifted their strike threat at the eleventh hour yesterday, after managers put forward a new pay offer.

Services operating from Go Northern's Bishop Auckland depot would have been disrupted today and on future Fridays, if a series of planned days of action had gone ahead.

The company said that all its buses would now run as normal. Engineers accepted a revised three per cent pay offer and drivers will vote next week.

Martin Harris, commercial director for Go North East, said: "We are delighted that the threat of industrial action has been lifted and a settlement appears to be within our grasp.

"We apologise for any confusion to customers, and are now keen to move forward and put this matter behind us."

Earlier this week, transport union representative Bryan Anderson said that depot staff had felt let down by the company, which took over from OK Travel five years ago.

They voted for strike action after pay talks broke down last Friday.