Weekend strikes by LNER train drivers called off

Train driver strikes at London North Eastern Railway (LNER) have been called off following last-ditch talks between union and company officials.

Some 450 drivers at the company had planned walk out every weekend until mid-November.

Aslef said this was due to a "breakdown in industrial relations and agreements".

However, on Thursday, Aslef told the BBC a "resolution" had been reached and confirmed drivers would "now report for duty as normal".

LNER, which operates services on the East Coast Mainline, had already reduced its services on Saturday in advance strikes starting.

The company, which is run by the government, run trains to and from London King's Cross station and also through major cities including Newcastle, York and Durham.

The dispute between LNER and Aslef was separate to the long-running row over pay between drivers and all 16 train companies in England, which could soon be resolved following a new pay offer.