The threat of strike action which would cripple services at Gatwick airport could be avoided.

Firefighters, security guards and other staff at the airport are to stage a series of one-day strikes from the end of the month and through the festive season, causing chaos for travellers.

The strikes will also affect six other UK airports - Heathrow, Stansted, Southampton, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

But union Amicus, which has about 600 members involved in the dispute, said it would attend talks at the conciliation service ACAS next week.

National officer Bob Shannon said: "The talks give the BAA an opportunity to resolve this without the public being forced to suffer the consequences of unnecessary strikes."

BAA today welcomed Amicus' decision to meet at ACAS and the company urged the Transport and General Workers Union, which is still going ahead with strikes, to go the mediation service.

BAA director Tony Ward said: "We are very pleased that Amicus will work with us through ACAS and hope the TGWU will take the same course of action to enable us to find a resolution which will avert strike action."

The TGWU, which has 4,000 members involved in the pay row, will meet next week to decide whether to take part in the peace talks.

Earlier this week, the TGWU released details of the planned six, one-day strikes on November 28, December 2, 10, 15, 23, and January 2.

The union has rejected a pay offer worth 1.7 per cent from last April plus £150, with a further £150 lump sum and a one per cent rise from next April.

Airport authorities have warned Gatwick will be crippled if the strikes go ahead.