North Wales train commuters were gifted an early Christmas present last week.

Planned strike action by Virgin Trains staff, operating on the West Coast line, on December 22 and January 5, 8, 26 and 29 has been cancelled after an agreement was reached over a pay dispute.

Virgin Trains West Coast services are expected to run full timetables, effective as of last Friday.

Managing Director for Virgin Trains on the west coast, Phil Whittingham said: "We’re pleased that we’ve come to an agreement with the RMT and TSSA unions, and can focus on providing the best possible service to our customers.

"We’ll do everything we can to run a full service on Friday 22 December, but because the strike has been called off at the last-minute there may be some cancellations.

"We’ll be working hard to make sure our customers can make it home as quickly and easily as possible for Christmas.”

Virgin Trains have recommended customers still check their journey before they travel.

Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) welcomed the new offer from Virgin which helped settle the pay dispute.

TSSA General Secretary, Manuel Cortes, added: "I am pleased Virgin has finally seen sense, come back to the negotiating table, and made an offer sparing our passengers further disruption at a time of the year when the just want to get to be with their loved ones for Christmas."

North Wales were set to be the most effected by the strikes with no trains to Chester or North Wales apart from two services on the Holyhead to London line.

Normal timetables were set to continue however for services from London to Liverpool and Glasgow, while frequent services were to be on offer for London to West Midlands.