TALKS aimed at settling a pay dispute between local government workers and employers were due to start again today (Monday).

It follows 10 hours of discussion on Friday at the arbitration service Acas, in which unions represent-ing some 1.2 million public sector employees in England, Wales and Northern Ireland were attempting to secure a six per cent deal. It is hoped the talks will avoid a second one-day strike.

The last action on July 17 saw thousands of bin bags in Swindon un-collected, leisure centres closed and children sent home from school.

Another one-day strike is planned for August 14, in which members of Unison and the Transport and General Workers Union are due to walk out. The unions said: "We are prepared to negotiate for as long as it takes to get a decent pay rise."

The unions have rejected the employers' offer of three per cent. The Government has been pressing for a three-year pay deal including an increase in the minimum wage from the present £4.82 an hour to £5.