Bus strikes called off

Trent Buses run in various routes in the East Midlands

A series of bus strikes planned for the East Midlands in the new year have been called off after the two sides agreed to negotiations.

Management and unions at Trent Buses will meet on Wednesday for the first time since September.

The Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) has held three strikes over the last month involving more than 200 staff at Trent Buses in the East Midlands.

Dozens of Saturday services across the county were cancelled during the one-day strikes.

Shops in Derby's Eagle Centre claimed their business decreased by 21% in the busy run-up to Christmas because of the bus drivers' dispute.

The union is calling for higher pay rates for drivers, who received a 4.2% rise earlier this year.

Bus drivers had warned that their series of strikes could continue well into the New Year.