A planned strike by civilian police staff in England and Wales in a dispute over pay has been suspended.

Members of Unison were due to walk out on Monday, followed by a month long ban on overtime in the new year in protest at a 1% wage offer.

But the action has been called off following negotiations between the union and employers, with further talks planned.

Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said: ''Suspending the strike action provides a window of opportunity for positive talks between Unison and the employers. We welcome the decision by the employers to work with the union to achieve an improved offer which we can put to our members.''

Unison represents 30,000 police staff in England and Wales, including 999 call takers, police community support officers, scenes of crime officers and fingerprint experts.