A UNION official has warned an eight-day strike by bus drivers in Bradford could be called if "make or break" talks this week fail to reach agreement.

Further crunch talks between transport firm First and Unite union representatives will take place today in a bid to avoid a repeat of a bus strike in the district.

But despite an agreement in principle being reached between the two parties after two days of talks on May 29, an argument over some of the wordings of the proposals remains unresolved.

A continuous eight-day bus strike, proposed by Unite to start yesterday, was also suspended as talks were re-opened.

Any future eight-day industrial action would only be called as a last resort, Unite officials pledge.

Mohammad Taj, branch secretary for Unite in Bradford, who has worked as a bus driver at the First depot in Bowling Back Lane for 41 years, said this week's talks were vital but he remained optimistic of avoiding future strike action.

He said: "It's make or break. These are crucial talks.

"If the negotiations break down this time, we could see a long, drawn-out dispute.

"If the talks break down, we could see an eight-day continuous strike in Bradford. It would be a last resort situation.

"But I am pretty optimistic we could reach an agreement.

"I'm 90 per cent certain that we can strike a deal. We will be talking with First throughout this week.

"At this stage we are hoping to continue and reach an agreement.

"The talks will be going on throughout this week and then our members will be balloted again.

"At the moment, there is no definite strike date planned.

"If we decide to call for a strike, it could be called on First next Monday. It could be later this month, but we would have to give seven days notice."

But First say it remains focused on avoiding further strikes and hopes both parties can reach an agreement through the talks.

A First spokesman said: "We are very focused on reaching a solution through the process of discussions and negotiations.

"Hopefully we can avoid any further inconvenience for customers in the future."

The previous two-day strike held in April saw 380 Unite members walk out causing the cancellation of scores of services across the Bradford district.

Talks between the two sides then broke down without agreement last month.

The union claimed the primary reason for the industrial action is the transfer of part of the 576 bus service from Bradford to Halifax which it says has cost eight jobs.

First has denied the claim, saying there has been no job losses at Bradford but instead has protected jobs across West Yorkshire.

The company has also announced it will invest £2 million in bringing in low emissions buses to Bradford from next month after Unite criticised the level of investment in its fleet.

The 12 StreetLite buses, which are Department for Transport "low carbon certified" making them the most fuel efficient buses on the market, will operate on the 620 Haworth Road-Bierley circular route.

First said the new vehicles, manufactured by Wrights Group in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, also supports Bradford Council's aim to tackle air pollution through a reduction in emissions and cutting congestion by attracting people out of their cars.