Members of the union Natfhe at Newcastle College have held a series of strikes over pay and conditions.

In a joint statement on Wednesday, they announced they had agreed to use the services of Acas to try to settle their differences.

Natfhe says it has agreed to suspend any further strike action to allow the talks to go ahead on 17 June.

The joint statement said: "Following a meeting at the end of May, the college executive and Natfhe branch officers have agreed to use the services of Acas to try and resolve the trade dispute.

Welcome opportunity

"Both sides welcome this step forward and as a gesture of good faith, Natfhe have agreed to suspend any further strike action to allow these talks to proceed.

"Both sides welcome the opportunity to resolve the dispute and hope that an amicable agreement can be found."

One full day of meetings at Acas has been agreed for 17 June and further dates are being agreed.

Newcastle College Natfhe branch secretary Jon Bryan said: "It is pleasing for us that the college have agreed to our request to resolve this through using the services and experience that Acas can offer and we hope that these talks will bring a resolution to this dispute."