LAST gasp talks between bosses and union representatives failed to halt today's (Monday, October 10) strike by a number of bus drivers across Somerset.

Several services have been cancelled today in Somerset and Cornwall as RMT members take part in their planned 24-hour walkout in a dispute over pay.

First South West managing director Simon Goff said: "Despite emergency talks held on Sunday with RMT, where we encouraged them to call off the strike and use the time instead to negotiate a settlement, RMT has advised us that that their members will continue with their planned 24-hour strike action today.

"As such, we regret that the travelling public will be without many Buses of Somerset and Cornwall by Kernow services.

"We are very sorry for this and remain disappointed and frustrated that the RMT has deemed that a package worth 17.4 per cent over the next 19 months is insufficient.

"This is an offer that meets what the RMT have asked for and does not include any reductions in terms and conditions, changes to roles or redundancies.

"The door is very much open for the RMT to work with us to find a settlement but the longer industrial action goes on, and with customer numbers less than they were pre-Covid, the harder it will be for us to guarantee the long term viability of bus routes in the South West.

"Customers should check with our website and social media feeds to find out which of our services will be running today."

Further strikes are planned for October 21 and November 4 and 11.

READ MORE: Bus services not running today.

READ MORE: RMT calls four bus strikes.