STAFF the Reading-based life insurance company, Prudential, have called off a series of strikes just a day before the industrial action was due to take place.

Unite had planned to call the first 24-hour strike today (Friday) over plans to offshore an estimated 82 jobs dealing with annuities to India.

A second strike was set to go-ahead next Friday (September 23).

But the industrial action has been suspended after management promised that alternative jobs would be found for those staff who were affected.

As a result, Unite's work-to-rule has been suspended while talks take place about this latest move.

Unite said it welcomed the news. Regional officer Ian Mathven said: "We will now seek to work constructively with Prudential bosses in hammering out the detail and ensuring the alternative jobs on offer are suitable for those affected."