Bus drivers and other staff employed by transport company Arriva are voting over whether to stage a one-day strike.

More than 400 Arriva Northumbria drivers had originally voted to walk-out on Friday in a dispute over pay.

The strike would coincide with a stoppage by Arriva Trains conductors who are also trying to force an improved pay offer.

Following talks between Arriva Northumbria, union officials, and arbitration service Acas, a revised pay offer has been made to bus workers, who will now vote on whether to accept it.

Two-year deal

It is hoped the bus staff will follow the recommendations of the Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU) and the Rail Maritime Transport (RMT) union and accept the improved offer.

About 520 Arriva Northumbria workers - who include engineering staff and cleaners as well as drivers - will be balloted on the revised, two-year pay deal and the results will be known on Thursday.

Brian Anderson, is regional industrial organiser with the TGWU, which represents about 450 of the workers.

Brian Anderson: Wants offer accepted

He told BBC News Online: "We have thrashed out a fresh deal, and we can only wait and see now what happens at the ballot box.

"If the new offer is rejected then Friday's strike will go ahead. If strike action goes ahead it will have a big affect on the public, but our argument is not with them.

"However, we have been recommending that the offer is accepted."

Mr Anderson said their had been a big vote against the company's last offer, but he said the new one was an improvement and covered two years.

Offer rejected

Arriva Northumbria has depots in Berwick, Alnwick, Ashington, Blyth, Hexham and Jesmond and operates bus services on about 150 routes in Northumberland and Newcastle.

Members of the TGWU and RMT rejected the first 3% pay rise and instead demanded an increase to take all drivers to �7 an hour.

A series of rail strikes has been staged by conductors employed by Arriva Trains.

The RMT is angry that Arriva has given drivers an 18% wage increase, while it claims other staff have been offered a much lower rate.