A STRIKE by hundreds of Bury Council workers on Wednesday has been called off.

Services affecting social work, leisure centres and the weekly bins collection had been under threat over Government plans to cut pension entitlements.

However, ministers reached a late agreement with national leaders of trade union Unison. It revokes the legislation which would have forced council staff to work until they were 65, rather than 60, and sets up a new negotiating body.

Mr Steve Morton, branch secretary of Bury Unison, said: "We welcome the fact that the Government has listened to us and will revisit the issue. But it is the eve of an election, and we cannot take our eye off the ball. It's not over until it's over."

The union's case had been backed by Bury MP David Chaytor, who said: "Life expectancy continues to rise and our working lives have to be adjusted, but I was extremely bothered about the detail of this."