ONE threat of rail strikes has diminished after the train drivers union withdrew a ballot of its members but two more strikes remain a distinct possibility.

Aslef has announced it has suspended its ballot notice and will take no further industrial action at the present time.

Rail operator Southern has welcomed the move to stand down on a strike threat which could have seen up to 1,000 drivers walking out.

Negotiations are also ongoing to avert a scheduled strike for a week on Wednesday.

Members of the RMT will head to conciliation service ACAS tomorrow for talks aimed at averting a potential strike by ticket office staff over changes to the location and opening hours of ticket offices.

A planned strike by conductors on the Southern network are still set to be carried out next week with neither Govia or RMT budging from their current position.

A Southern spokesperson said: "We welcome the decision by Aslef to suspend their ballot notice over a 'breakdown in industrial relations' and that it will not take any further action in relation to the ballot notice, or the ballot.

"We are continuing to work with Aslef to address their concerns that led to the dispute."