FURTHER talks aimed at resolving the dispute over First North Western trains drivers' pay have ended in disappointment.

First North Western has made a further improved offer which it believed addresses all of drivers' union ASLEF's issues.

But ASLEF is refusing to either ballot its members on the latest offer, to go to arbitration, or suspend strike action while talks continue. The series of strikes began after drivers protested over pay levels.

Vernon Barker, First North Western's managing director, said: "We are deeply disappointed that having made progress we have again hit more stumbling blocks and this dispute is being kept going. It now looks almost impossible to avoid strike action this weekend and cuts in services next week as we respond to a lack of driver availability."

No further talks are currently planned.

The strikes this weekend will affect not only regular passengers but also those travelling to Blackpool for the Labour Party Conference and the illuminations.