Virgin Trains West Coast strike called off

Virgin Trains says planned strikes by the RMT and TSSA unions on Virgin Trains West Coast have been called off.

Strikes were due to take place on Friday and on four days in January.

The company said it would try to run a full service on Friday, but warned there could be some cancellations.

Virgin advised customers to check the timetable before travelling. However, the revised timetable is not due to go live on its website until the early hours of Friday morning.

"We'll do everything we can to run a full service on Friday, but because the strike has been called off at the last minute there may be some cancellations," said Phil Whittingham, managing director for Virgin Trains on the west coast.

"We'll be working hard to make sure our customers can make it home as quickly and easily as possible for Christmas."

The strike was over pay, with the RMT seeking a "suitable and equal" pay offer for train managers and on-board catering workers on the West Coast route from Glasgow to Euston to that given to drivers.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said a breakthrough had been made in talks with the company and the offer, as yet unspecified, was good enough to be put to union members.

TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes said: "I am pleased Virgin has finally seen sense, come back to the negotiating table, and made an offer sparing our passengers further disruption at... Christmas."