Frustrated commuters could breathe a sigh of relief after Southern’s parent company invited union bosses to talks to end the bitter dispute over passenger safety.

Charles Horton, the chief executive of Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), the parent company of Southern, said requested a “face-to-face” meeting with leaders from the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union next week.

The announcement was made after a deal was brokered between the company and the ASLEF union over driver-only trains, yesterday (Thursday, February 3).

Around 1,000 union-affiliated drivers will now vote on whether they will accept the terms of the agreement.

In a letter sent to Mick Cash, general secretary of the RMT union, Mr Horton said he hoped “these discussions will be conducted without the threat of further industrial action hanging over them.”

Mr Horton said in a separate statement: "We are pleased to have reached a deal with the ASLEF leadership. They were prepared to come to the table, with passengers liberated of any threat of strike action.

"Both parties arrived ready to listen, have an open mind and ready to do a deal and I am grateful to Mick Whelan and his executive for the spirit they entered the talks and agreed a deal with us.

“I also recognise and respect that drivers will now vote on the agreement and I hope it will be given their green light.”

A spokesman for the RMT union said: "We can confirm that we have had a formal offer of talks from GTR. That offer will be considered by RMT's executive later today.

“The union will be making no further comment until the executive has met."