TRAIN operator First North Western believes that delays will be kept to a minimum for commuters in Bolton if railway workers go ahead with a strike.

Nearly 60 per cent of Rail, Maritime and Transport Union members have voted in favour of strikes in a pay dispute with Network Rail.

RMT union officials meet later this week and are expected to set a series of dates for strikes.

First North Western, which operates services throughout the Bolton area, said that it would be ready to cope with any possible disruption.

But they refused to comment on what provisions they had in place until a date for strike action was set.

A spokeswoman for First North Western, said: "We will be working very hard to minimise disruptions for passengers during any strike action."

Network Rail's chief executive John Armitt said a call by the RMT Union for more pay, travel concessions and pensions would cost the company an extra £40 million. They have offered workers a three per cent pay rise. The union is also protesting at the closure of the Network Rail's final salary pension scheme for new workers because of rising costs.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said his union had "serious concerns" about the new pension provisions and he suggested a commission be set up to look into the issue.