THE threatened Torpoint Ferry strike on Tuesday has been called off.

The ferry staff had been due to be supporting a local government national strike in a protest against a one per cent increase in wages which would also affect pensions.

The one-day suspension of the service, except for 'blue light' emergencies, was expected to have a major impact especially in the rush hours.

The last ferry had been due to leave Torpoint at 11.30pm and Devonport at 11.45pm on Monday. Normal services had been due to resume on Wednesday. Cornwall Council had said that some of its services and facilities could have been affected due to the industrial action.

However, late yesterday afternoon the GMB union announced that the local government and school support workers strike due to take place on Tuesday was being suspended.

A union spokesperson said: 'The three unions which represent more than 1.5 million workers in local government and schools – Unison, the GMB and Unite – have decided to suspend strike action planned for October 14 and consult their members on new proposals put forward by the Local Government Association as the best achievable by negotiation.'