Ambulance staff in Wiltshire, Avon and Gloucestershire have called off the strike action planned for Christmas and the New Year.

Following intensive talks between Unison and management from the Great Western Ambulance Service the industrial action has been suspended.

Unison members who comprise paramedics, technicians and control room staff were unhappy that payments had not been passed on following a review of job roles under the Agenda for Change process.

They had threatened to strike from 5pm to 9pm on Christmas Day and 5am and 9am on Boxing Day plus on December 31 and January 1.

A joint statement from, Ian Ducat, Unison south west regional secretary and Tim Lynch, chief executive of the Great Western Ambulance Service, said: "Management and Unison have clarified a number of outstanding issues satisfactorily, following advice received from employers and union representatives at national level.

"Both management and Unison are committed to abide by the conditions of service and other arrangements prescribed by the Agenda for Change national agreement and to use existing jointly agreed national processes for resolving the implementation of Agenda for Change and other difficulties."

The statement adds that both sides will seek to work in partnership on issues that are a matter for local determination.

It also says further discussions will be held in the New Year as a priority to review existing negotiations and bargaining arrangements to "enhance and facilitate partnership and better industrial relations."

Of the 1,300 staff employed by the Great Western Ambulance Service 562 are Unison members. Of the 188 Unison members who took part in a ballot for industrial action 94 (50 per cent) voted for strike action.