PASSENGERS are still facing up to two more days of bus misery but a glimmer of hope may have emerged in the Wilts & Dorset strike crisis.

A meeting between officials from the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union and Wilts & Dorset bosses yesterday failed to bring an immediate end to the deadlock.

But both parties said "productive" discussions had taken place and that they were now "reflecting" on proposals, with further dialogue due to take place tomorrow.

Wilts and Dorset drivers have already walked out twice this month in a dispute over the maximum length of time they are expected to spend behind the wheel continuously.

Alex Carter, managing director of Wilts & Dorset, said that as it stood, two further days of industrial action - on January 16 and 21 - were still due to go ahead.

He said: "We didn't get to the point where a resolution was reached, so the position remains unchanged.

"These things take time and both sides said they would take stock of what the other had said.

"We will see if there is any mileage in any of it, but there are things to think about."

Phil Bialyk, regional organiser for the RMT, said they had put proposals forward to Wilts & Dorset, but they could not be drawn on specifics as things were at a "delicate" stage.

He said: "Both sides are reflecting on what was said and we will try to take things forward."

Buses in Dorset ground to a halt on the first day of strike action on January 3, though a skeleton service was provided on main routes during Wednesday's second walkout.