TOWN hall unions are suspending further industrial action in their bitter dispute over pensions.

Unions representing local authority workers said they had agreed a framework for negotiations with employers.

More than one million staff across Britain walked out last month in a one-day strike over plans to scrap arrangements which allow council workers to retire on a full pension at the age of 60.

The unions had been due to stage a series of further regional walkouts between April 25 and 27.

The decision to recommend suspension of the action follows informal discussions between the two sides over recent days.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said that he expected that the detailed negotiations on the new framework would start urgently.

"I am very pleased that it has now been possible to agree with the Local Government employers a sensible framework for the detailed negotiations necessary on the future of the Local Government Pension Scheme. These negotiations now offer a positive route forward to secure fairness and high quality pensions."

Local Government Association chairman Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart said the suspension of the planned strike action would come as a "relief" to both sides as well as the public.

"The Local Government Association will be working hard in meaningful discussions with the unions to come up with a long term reform," he said.