A threatened rail strike has been called off only days before it was due to cause disruption on the East Coast Mainline.

Talks between the Rail Maritime and Transport union and GNER ended a dispute which was expected to lead to strikes on June 25 and July 4.

But another transport dispute has resulted in negotiations between management and representatives of First York drivers today.

A pay increase, apparently accepted by the union, was turned down by the company's employees earlier this week.

Brian Asquith, First York's managing director, said: "We are having our annual pay review and we have made an offer to the trade union, which it officially supported.

"But its members opposed it and it failed at a ballot. There is another meeting today.

"I have heard no threat of strike action over it."

The RMT and GNER talks were centred on the safety role of guards on the trains, which connect York with London and Scotland. Union members had feared the role was being degraded.

Nationwide one day walkouts had been planned.

Talks are also expected today between the RMT and other train operators about the role of guards.

Updated: 11:56 Thursday, June 21, 2001