UPDATED 15.40

THE RMT has accepted an offer for fresh talks with Govia Thameslink Railway in the Southern DOO dispute, but services will still be seriously disrupted tomorrow.

The union had offered to return to ACAS for discussions without 'preconditions'.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "The National Executive Committee has had time to consider this matter and have acknowledged that some progress is being made.

"As the company have now agreed to meet with our union officials without the caveat of any preconditions, the NEC has therefore instructed me to inform you and your colleagues that the strike action has now been suspended with immediate effect until further notice."

Southern said: “We are encouraged that the RMT has accepted our offer to resume talks at ACAS and has agreed to call off its strike action. For our passengers' sake we truly hope these talks will be productive and bring this long running dispute to an end.
 
“At present, the strike timetable is still in the industry train planning systems for Thursday and Friday. Regrettably, this means tomorrow’s service will be based upon the present strike timetable but we will do our very best to add services in and extend the hours of operation wherever possible. On Friday we plan to revert to the revised timetable operating before the strike. We will update our website www.southernrailway.com as further information becomes available.”