AN AMBULANCE strike planned for Christmas Day and Boxing Day has been called off.

Staff at the Great Western Ambulance Service (GWAS), which covers Swindon, announced two four-hour walkouts earlier this week.

Unison, the public sector union, said there were deep-seated complaints about working conditions.

But after talks last night between union leaders and GWAS management the industrial action has been suspended.

Unison regional secretary Ian Ducat said: "This is a positive outcome and really good news for our members, management and the public. "I'm grateful to local and national Unison officials as well management locally and nationally for helping to get a settlement. "I'm also please that the new chief executive has agreed to talks in the New Year to try to improve the partnership between trust management and Unison representatives."

A joint statement said: "Management and Unison have clarified a number of outstanding issues satisfactorily, following advice received from employers and union representatives at national level.

"Both parties will seek to work in partnership on those issues that are a matter for local determination.

"Further discussions will be held in the New Year, as a priority, to review existing negotiating and bargaining arrangements to enhance and facilitate partnership and better industrial relations."

The Adver revealed on Saturday that disaffected staff had taken to airing their grievances on a website.