Strike off for Anglian employees

Anglian Water workers planned to strike at the end of March

Anglian Water workers have called off a strike after the company deferred plans to contract out activities and agreed to talks on Friday.

Workers are concerned about pensions under the new arrangements.

Roy Pointer, the company's chief executive, said: "We are keen to find a solution that satisfies employees, the company and our customers."

Union official Tony Field said: "AW has agreed to hold meaningful talks and now understands the feelings of members."

He added: "Our decision to ballot our members has been vindicated as we focused on our members' concerns."

The staff had voted in favour of strike action earlier this week.

The company supplies water in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire.