An all-out strike at Bradford College - which was sparked by 122 proposed redundancies and pay conditions - has been suspended after managers agreed to save 66 academic jobs and improve lecturers' wages.

Last month the Telegraph & Argus reported how 87 per cent of members of lecturers' union NATFHE voted in favour of an indefinite strike after the college revealed jobs would be axed to help address a £1.3 million deficit.

Lecturers had already staged four one-day strikes in protest at the job losses and management's refusal to implement a national harmonised pay spine to make the pay system fairer. And the all-out strike, which was due to start on Tuesday has now been halted.

NATFHE regional officer Martyn Moss said: "NATFHE welcomes the commitment from the college principal to avoid any compulsory redundancies, and we now hope we can have a further period of intense talks which realise this goal.

"As a result of this commitment NATFHE has agreed with the college to extend the period in which we will call any further strike action, and not issue the legal notice that was due to be sent this week.

"We are also hopeful that coupled with the offer to commence meaningful talks on resolving the separate pay dispute, both sides will soon be able to put the recent turbulent period behind them."

A college spokesman said they were delighted the planned strikes were suspended while further work was being done to carry out a restructuring programme with minimum disruption.

He said that from the outset, bosses pledged to avoid compulsory redundancies if possible. "The voluntary redundancy scheme has proven to be very successful and has reduced further the need for compulsory redundancies. However, compulsory redundancies cannot be ruled out," he said.

"College management have made the commitment that, if the necessary costs savings of £3 million are made this year, it will implement a pay award next year.

"It is hoped that cost savings will be made through the restructure, voluntary redundancies and the achievement of student recruitment targets."

And he said savings made this year would help cover the costs of the new pay scale. The 90-day consultation, which is 50 days in, will continue between unions and staff.

Michele Sutton, principal and chief executive at the college said: "I'm delighted that the on-going discussions between management and unions are progressing positively. We are committed to modernising the college but are also committed to ensuring that the process is as painless as possible for our staff."

l Union members were today due to hand over 5,000 signatures of support to the college corporation which they collected during five Saturdays in Bradford city centre.