Strikes at 12 newspapers in the Manchester area are set to continue next week - but pay talks before then could call a halt to the action.

Twenty-seven National Union of Journalists members walked out at Greater Manchester Weekly Newspapers yesterday and on Tuesday in the first of six planned days of action. The company employs around 60 journalists.

The northern division, comprising the Rochdale Observer, Heywood Advertiser, Middleton & North Manchester Guardian, Rossendale Free Press, Accrington Observer, Oldham Advertiser, Rochdale Express, Moston, Middleton & Blackley Express, Salford Advertiser, Prestwich Advertiser, Asian News and Car Search, was affected.

A spokesman for the company said it was keen to resolve the dispute. A statement is expected later.

Regional NUJ organiser Miles Barter said: "We have had two days of what we would say was very successful strike action with 27 people taking part."

Members had previously rejected a 1.5 per cent and then a 2.5 per cent pay offer and were demanding 7.5 per cent.

Miles said: "Three people joined the union on Tuesday to take part in the strike and there are also people who did work and said they would join us next week.

"We hope this has demonstrated to the management that people feel very strongly about the issue of low pay and long hours.

"We have written to the management to say we would be prepared to talk to them or discuss through ACAS before next week's planned strike, with the meeting reported back to the chapel."

He said the chapel was unwilling to suspend the action on the promise of talks in the future but added that any future action hinged on what the company had to say between now and then.

Visitors showing their support to the picket lines included The Guardian's mother-of-chapel Helen Oldfield and NUJ general secretary Jeremy Dear.

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