A third session of strike action at the Milton Keynes Citizen has been postponed.

National Union of Journalists members took industrial action both last week and two weeks ago with a third bout due to start yesterday.

But the chapel decided to postpone the latest action and instead intends to go on strike again within the next few weeks.

The dispute centres on a pay row. The union claims that Johnston Press had offered a three per cent increase for 2007 but this was rejected.

Members want 3.5 per cent to reflect the increased number of titles being produced by reduced numbers of staff.

Mother of the Chapel Karen Jeffery said: “We’ve cancelled the action but that does not mean it’s the end of the plan.

“We do intend to go on strike again, it’s not the end of the road.

“We didn’t supply a reason to management for the cancellation and we are looking to them to move forward.

“We’re still receiving messages of support from fellow journalists and readers and we’re very much in fighting spirit. Everybody has been behind us.”

A total of 11 NUJ members at the Citizen, including reporters, sub-editors and photographers, are expected to take part in the next action.