A PLANNED strike by fuel tanker drivers was postponed today to allow fresh talks in a bid to resolve a dispute over pay and conditions.

Members of Unite working for Wincanton had been due to start a seven-day walkout from 5am, just two days after returning to work following a previous stoppage.

The union said the industrial action had been called off for 24 hours, warning that the strike will go ahead tomorrow if the deadlock is not broken.

The union had planned to mount picket lines at several sites including Immingham, Tamworth and Stockton-on-Tees, and had warned that the action would hit deliveries to Jet garages.

Unite national officer Matt Draper said: "Unite hopes that today will see a resolution to this dispute. Wincanton now has an opportunity to get its priorities right.

"The union wants to find a fair and just solution, but the company should not be under any illusions.

"If these talks fail to address the concerns of our members, they will be back out on the picket line tomorrow, defending their livelihoods.

"The Wincanton drivers have shown that they were in it for the long haul, so our suggestion to Wincanton is stop the squeeze on drivers' terms and conditions.

"Respect this workforce, respect the fuel supply, act responsibly and start talking about a fair solution."