Aslef members working for First North Western are into the second day of a 48-hour stoppage in protest over pay.

It is the latest action in a long-running dispute.

A limited bus replacement service may be in operation on some First North Western routes but passengers are advised to find alternate means of transport.

Union apology

Colin Smith, regional organiser for Aslef, has said he cannot rule out future strike action if the dispute is not resolved.

He said: "I cannot apologise enough to the passengers, but at the end of the day we have a responsibility to our members.

"What I would suggest passengers do is write to their MP and suggest that the company should push forward and try and resolve this dispute because we are willing to resolve it."

Pay offer

Vernon Barker, managing director of First North Western, said he was still waiting to hear Aslef's response to a pay offer made on 29 August.

He added: "Aslef could have suspended the strike and allowed people to go to and from work and on their holidays whilst talks continued.

"I totally sympathise with customers having their travel plans disrupted and we are trying to have this strike brought to a conclusion."