STRIKE action at the town's magistrates' court has been avoided.

Workers at Worcestershire courts, including the Spa's Ombersley Street East court, had planned to boycott their duties on Friday June 15.

Droitwich and Redditch court staff are protesting about being moved to new, privately funded courts in Worcester and Kidderminster.

A ballot was organised by The Association of Magisterial Officers (AMO) and the result was four to one in favour of strike action.

Staff want additional mileage rates and new agreements about redundancy conditions.

But AMO has now agreed to try to sort out the disagreement with West Mercia Magistrates' Court Committee.

The dispute has been referred to the Arbitration, Conciliation and Advisory Service (ACAS).

AMO assistant general secretary Nick McCarthy said: "We always try to avoid industrial action.

"I'm confident that with the help of ACAS we can work with the employer to find a solution."

Magistrates' court committee chairman Christine McLellan said: "AMO has agreed to suspend industrial action pending meetings at ACAS."

They could take place this Friday and on Monday July 2.