Two more days of strike action by staff at Oxford Bus Company have been suspended.

Drivers and staff were set to walk out on March 17 and March 24 in an ongoing dispute over pay and lieu days for Yuletide bank holidays.

It would have followed strikes on March 2 and March 6.

But Oxford Bus Company revealed the strike action has been suspended after 'postive talks' with trade union Unite.

Phil Southall, managing director of Oxford Bus Company, said:" “We’re pleased to announce that, following several talks with Unite and ACAS this week, Unite has agreed to suspend its planned strikes.

"This is great news for our customers, and we apologise for any inconvenience that has been experienced to date.

"With the threat of strike action now removed, Unite and our management team can resume talks and I am optimistic that we will be able to reach a way forward soon."

These further negotiations could lead to the strikes being called off completely if a deal is reached.

Marie Hall, regional officer for Unite said: "We’re happy to say that positive talks have taken place between Oxford Bus Company management and Unite over the last few days.

"In order to create an environment for talks to resume, we’ve suspended the strike action previously announced.

"We are confident that we can now get back around the table and make some progress."

On Monday Unite boss Len McCluskey was at the picket line outside the company's headquarters in Watlington Road.

He told striking workers: "No matter how long this strike takes I will be side by side with you."

Disruption on both days of strike action was minimised after dozens of drivers were brought in from other parts of the country to keep services moving.

Relations first broke down between the union and Oxford Bus Company after claims drivers could lose up to £100 a shift after the bus operator said it would not pay more for working on bank holidays December 27 and January 2.