A one-day strike by rail staff due to take place today has been called off after crisis talks between unions and managers.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) had voted for the 24-hour walk-out in protest at plans by South Eastern Trains to cut ticket office opening hours.

The RMT claimed 100 jobs could be lost but the train company said workers would be moved to platform and ticket-collecting jobs.

Both sides said talks aimed at avoiding the dispute had been positive and a revised offer put before the unions by South Eastern Trains would be discussed this week.

The ticket office plans have also been put on hold after the Government ruled public concern meant they could not take place before April, when the new franchise-holder Govia takes over.

Under South Eastern Trains' plans, its Hastings office, which usually opened until 11.30pm, would close at 8pm on weekdays.

There would also be new hours for stations in Battle, St Leonards Warrior Square and Robertsbridge, with many ticket offices closing in the early afternoon.

The plans were criticised by Hastings Borough Council leader Jeremy Birch in a letter to South Eastern Trains managing director Michael Holden. He voiced concerns about passenger safety, which were echoed by the Rail Passengers Council.

Coun Birch said closed ticket offices could lead to yobs congregating at stations after dark.

A Rail Passengers Council spokeswoman said: "Staff at stations play a very important role in helping passengers feel safe and secure in a way that a CCTV cameras simply cannot do.

"CCTV can help catch a mugger after the event but it cannot stop an attack from taking place. The other issue is the sheer inconvenience."

Questions were also raised about why South Eastern Trains was planning to cut staff at a time of heightened national security.

Bob Crow, of the RMT Union, said: "With the threat of terrorism, rising violent crime and the new drinking laws, the company should be increasing staff."