THE threat of damaging industrial action by ambulance crews was on hold last night while a new offer was put to union members.

Paramedics and other crew members working for the North-East Ambulance Service have voted overwhelmingly to take industrial action in a dispute over meal break payments.

But it is uncertain when action will begin after the eleventh hour intervention of national officials from the NHS Executive and the Unison union headquarters in London.

The new joint proposals were last night being put to branch members but it is uncertain whether the move will head off industrial action, including a refusal to do overtime and provide safety cover at major public events.

Crews are angry that they are being asked to stay on duty during meal breaks without pay.

But management of the North-East ambulance service argue that the crews will still be better off under a new pay and conditions deal being discussed with staff.

If industrial action goes ahead - and management have to be given a minimum of seven days' notice - it could jeopardise a string of major sporting events across the region this summer.

Ray McDermott, Unison branch secretary for the North-East Ambulance Service, said: "We may have to put the new proposals to a second ballot of members."

Mr McDermott said the new proposals still included a demand that crews should remain on duty during unpaid meal breaks.

* Police are increasingly being asked to take people to hospital because of a lack of ambulance cover, the Police Federation heard yesterday.

Clive Chamberlain, chairman of the Dorset Police Federation, said: "I am questioning a system where resources are increasingly unable to match demand and, when faced with no alternative, police officers are having to leave their areas in order to convey people to accident and emergency departments."