A planned strike by Virgin Trains East Coast workers has been suspended.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union had been due to walk out for 24 hours from 3am on Friday and again on August 26 and 29, and also ban overtime for 48 hours from August 27.

The RMT has confirmed it has instructed members to continue working to allow more time for negotiations in a row over jobs, working conditions and safety.

It claims almost 200 jobs are threatened at Virgin Trains East Coast, which operates routes from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness.

The dispute involves around 1800 of its members, including guards, station staff and some drivers.

In a letter to members, RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "Significant progress has been made with the company."

He added: "This does not mean the dispute has been completely resolved. It has allowed your union representatives to go back into talks with management and to extend the deadline for taking industrial action to a further 28 days."

Virgin Trains had reassured customers it would run a full timetable during the industrial action.

David Horne, the rail operator's managing director for the east coast route, said: "We're pleased that the RMT has agreed to suspend industrial action and continue talks.

"We had put in place detailed contingency plans which would have seen our timetable run as normal, nevertheless this news will be welcomed by our customers and people."