A 24-hour bus strike began in the East End today after members of the Unite union working for transport firm CT Plus rejected a 2.25% pay offer.

A 24-hour bus strike began in the East End today after members of the Unite union working for transport firm CT Plus rejected a 2.25% pay offer.

There is no service on the 153 and 388 bus routes due to the walkout, which is set to finish at 04am tomorrow.

Meanwhile a more widespread 24-hour strike by other drivers, also due to start today, was avoided after the East London Bus Group put an offer on the table. A group spokesman said the company had "no money to offer them" in terms of pay because of the current economic climate.

But he said a revised package of working conditions was now being considered by Unite which the union will ballot its members on this Friday.

Any further strike action is not likely to come until after Christmas.