A UNION has recommended its Bradford drivers members accept an offer on the table from transport company First to avoid further bus strikes.

An agreement was finally hammered to prevent any future industrial action in the district after both parties were locked in two days of crunch talks.

Unite will ballot its 380 members at the First depot in Bowling Back Lane tomorrow.

But it looks 99.9 per cent further industrial action has been prevented, according to Unite representatives.

Mohammad Taj, branch secretary for Unite in Bradford, had warned earlier this week that an eight-day strike was on the cards if talks between the two parties failed to reach agreement.

According to Mr Taj, it was agreed that depot members would be given full consultation over any future potential job losses at the Bradford site.

Union members were also given reassurances by First over its commitment to the city which has pledged to bring in 12 new vehicles next month and annually review the condition of its Bradford fleet.

First had also said it had no plans to shut the depot, according to Mr Taj.

He said: "A tentative agreement has been reached that future strike action can be avoided.

"It's looking good that we can avoid any future industrial action. I am 99.9 per cent certain this can take place now.

"The talks were very fruitful and we are happy with the proposals we have had from First.

"I am very pleased that this agreement has been reached and that it does not cause any disturbance to the public with any future strike action.

"We, as a union, were very keen to reach an agreement, as were First."

Paul Matthews, managing director for First in West Yorkshire, said: "We're pleased that the results of recent positive discussions with the Trades Union are to be considered by staff this week and we look forward to a final resolution of this dispute."

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 said the main reason for the industrial action was the transfer of part of the 576 bus service from Bradford to Halifax which it claimed had cost eight jobs.

First denied that, saying there has been no job losses at Bradford and insisted it had protected jobs across West Yorkshire.