ARRIVA Trains Northern hit back last night at claims that its stance over a long-running conductors' dispute was compromising safety.

Rail Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) officials claimed the company had shelved its regular safety briefings, but managing director Ray Price said that was "absolute nonsense".

He said conductors had already had one safety briefing this year and a second cycle of briefings had begun.

"We would never compromise on safety and it is ludicrous of the RMT to suggest that we would," said Mr Price.

RMT regional organiser Stan Herschel said: "The company's vindictive rest-day working and overtime ban has led to a severe shortage of conductors - and the vast majority are now well overdue a safety briefing."

Conductors at ATN have held a series of one-day strikes over pay. They have rejected an offer of four per cent and plan a series of stoppages over Christmas and New Year.

First North Western, which is challenging Arriva for the transpennine and Northern rail franchises, yesterday announced that it had reached agreement over pay and conditions with the RMT.

The deal gives conductors a 3.5 per cent rise, with changes to terms and conditions. It is expected to put pressure on both parties at Arriva to settle their differences.