CRUNCH talks aimed at ending industrial action in Southampton will continue tomorrow.

The city council and unions met today for a second time through the mediation service ACAS to try to reach a deal in a dispute over mass pay cuts to staff.

They broke up tonight without agreement but both sides agreed to continue talks tomorrow.

The council said it was hopeful that both parties can negotiate a way forward to end the crippling industrial action.

Up to 2,400 council workers are taking industrial action over dismissal notices issued to staff threatening them with the sack if they don't sign up to new contracts by July 11 cutting their pay by between two and 5.5 per cent.

The council says it will protect 400 jobs as it looks to save £65m over the next four years.

The unions yesterday announced a further wave of strike action from Tuesday that will see librarians, street cleaners, traffic wardens, Itchen bridge toll collectors and bin men walkout for at least seven days.