British Airways and union Unite are locked in talks aimed at averting a strike by thousands of cabin crew.

Discussions, chaired by the TUC, are continuing in central London after last night's deadline was extended in the hope of making further progress by lunchtime today.

It's thought the union has come up with a plan to save BA £60m a year from an existing pay freeze, future salary cuts and reduction in the workforce.

Cabin crew last month voted in favour of industrial action to protest against new working practices imposed by the airline's management.

The result in favour of a strike had been widely expected and echoes the results of the first strike vote held by the Unite union in December, when union members voted by nine to one in favour of a walkout.

Unite is constrained by law to give at least a week's notice of any intention to go on strike, although it has said it won't disrupt the Easter getaway.

If not agreement is reached, a strike could be called for as early as 17 March.

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