Talks were being held today to resolve a dispute between union members and bus bosses over pay and conditions.

Members of the Transport and General Workers Union have vowed to continue industrial action in Hastings and St Leonards unless a negotiated agreement is reached with Stagecoach.

Union members claimed Stagecoach had given a three per cent wage increase but cut back on sick pay, which Stagecoach disputes.

It has led to bus services in the towns being disrupted, with Stagecoach bosses forced to draft in staff from across the UK to ensure services were not totally crippled.

A senior T&G negotiator was meeting Stagecoach South managing director Andrew Dyer in Eastbourne this afternoon.

But Mike Johnson, the T&G's regional industrial organiser, said he was not hopeful the talks would bring an end to the conflict.

He said: "The attitude of Stagecoach has been terrible so we took the strike action.

"I'm not optimistic but I'm still hoping that they will see reason."

The union is calling for a 10 per cent pay rise, a reduction in shift hours and sick pay to start from the first day of sickness.

A spokesman for Stagecoach said the firm hoped to stop further strikes but would not bow to unreasonable demands.