A bus strike affecting services in Trafford for the last month is set to continue after members of two unions opted to refuse an offer from the operator.

UPDATE: Arriva bus strike suspended with services to resume as deal is agreed.

The ballot at the start of this week was seen as a breakthrough, as it was the first time Unite and GMB put a proposal from Arriva to the drivers since the start of the industrial action on July 20.

If accepted, it might have seen services return on Wednesday, but more than three quarters of the members of these unions opted to refuse the offer, which means the bus strike is set to continue.

George Patterson, regional organiser for GMB, said: "Working people are facing the worst cost of living crisis for a generation. The drivers are fighting for a fair pay rise to help them through it.

“We need something better from Arriva. These drivers need to know that they’ll be able to cover their bills.

"We won’t stop fighting for our members to get the decent pay they deserve."

But a spokesperson for Arriva criticised the refusal and questioned the intentions of the unions.

They said that the operator offered to meet the pay demand, but that this was raised in response.

They said: "We are incredibly disappointed Unite and GMB members have voted not to accept our latest pay offer, inflicting yet further disruption and misery on our customers in the North West.

"Following the rejection of our latest pay offer, we agreed to meet the unions' pay demand in an attempt to end this strike action.

"The unions responded by significantly increasing their pay demand for the second time in this process. This brings into question their intentions.

"The unions are fully aware of the financial implications we face and the implications for our customers and bus networks across the North West.

"We will continue to do all we can to resolve this dispute as quickly as possible. We understand the detrimental impact this situation is having on our customers, our communities, our local economy.

"We urge the unions to reconsider their position, act in good faith and show a genuine willingness to resolve this dispute for the benefit of their members and our customers."

These are the services affected in Trafford. An asterisk means some of the services are covered by Goodwins.

18 - Eccles - Trafford Park - Sale - Manchester Airport

19 - Altrincham - Sale - Sale Moor - Northern Moor - Wythenshawe

245 - Altrincham - Sale - Urmston - The Trafford Centre

247 - The Trafford Centre - Flixton - Partington - Altrincham

263 - Altrincham - Sale - Stretford - Hulme - Piccadilly Gardens

280* - Altrincham - Mossbrow - Partington - Carrington - Sale

281* - Altrincham - Broadheath - Brooklands - Sale Moor - Sale

282* - Altrincham - Oldfield Brow - John Leigh Park (Circular)

283* - Altrincham - Hale - Hale Barns - Well Green (Circular)

284* - Altrincham - Well Green - Hale Barns - Hale (Circular)

285* - Altrincham - Timperley - Timperley Grange (Circular)

286* - Altrincham - Timperley Grange - Timperley (Circular)

287* - Altrincham - Rosehill - Bowdon - Bowdon Vale (Circular)

288 - Altrincham - Hale - Hale Barns - Manchester Airport (Evenings and Sundays Only)

For information on alternatives, go to tfgm.com/arriva-bus-strike.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. Jack is the reporter for The Messenger and covers anything and everything from within the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford.

To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.