Bus strikes planned across Kent for the end of this week have been called off.

Arriva drivers had been due to walk out Wednesday for three days as part of a sequence of strikes in support of their pay bid.

But their union, Unite, has now agreed to take the latest pay offer made by Arriva back to members who will be balloted on whether to accept it.

Neither Arriva nor Unite has revealed what that offer is, but the drivers have been asking for a 12.3% increase.

The industrial action, which would have affected drivers from depots in Northfleet, Gillingham, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells, is officially "suspended" pending the outcome of the ballot.

Unite said they expected an answer from the ballot by the weekend.

Unite regional officer Janet Nobbs said: "Following fresh talks, a further pay offer was made by Arriva and as an act of goodwill the strikes scheduled for this week have been suspended while workers are balloted."

At this stage, the union has not suspended the strikes due to take place next week over the full five days, Monday to Friday.

The dispute only affects the Arriva bus company.