Talks are to take place between management at the Blackpool Gazette and union members who are threatening to walk out over pay on Friday.

The strike vote was endorsed last week, but members of the National Union of Journalists have taken up an offer by the company to meet tomorrow.

The result of the meeting will be relayed back to a chapel meeting on Wednesday.

The 40-strong chapel has agreed to hold a one-day stoppage for its members on Friday, the day after European elections take place.

It claims that staff believe the pay deal offered - of a minimum of three per cent - does not reflect their part in the paper's success.

But a company statement pointed out that only 36 per cent voted in favour of strike action, adding: "The majority chose not to vote, are not members of the NUJ, or actively voted against strike action."

The Johnston Press-owned title and its associated weeklies would be affected by any action.

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