DRIVERS of First North Western (FNW) have suspended their strike action for Monday.

The East Lancashire Line's services from Preston to Colne, and Clitheroe to Manchester will now run as normal.

Strike action planned for April 29 and May 6 has also been cancelled.

FNW management and representatives of the drivers' union ASLEF had been in talks in London for several weeks to resolve the dispute over a sacked worker.

The drivers claimed disciplinary procedures had been abused after a colleague was sacked for speeding and going through two red lights, but FNW management said they had to take the action to maintain safety.

But rail users still face strike action when the conductors of Arriva Trains Northern (ATN) walk out on May 3 and 4.

ATN's TransPennine Express through Preston, Blackburn, Accrington and Burnley will be cancelled on both days. The conductors are unhappy at the offer a three percent pay rise because drivers received 18 percent on April 1.