UNION officials will today meet with Wilts & Dorset bosses in a showdown to try to force a breakthrough in the bus strike saga.

Passengers across the county suffered a second day of disruption yesterday as hundreds of drivers again took industrial action over working hours.

Though Wilts & Dorset pulled together a skeleton timetable, many bus users were either forced to endure long waits or simply avoided using the service altogether.

But this morning's meeting will offer fresh hope of a resolution and the scraping of two further strike days scheduled for this month.

Phil Bialyk, regional organiser for the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union, said: "I have to be an optimist, so I'm hoping this meeting is a sign of progress."

With some managers being forced to take the wheel yesterday, Wilts & Dorset managing director Alex Carter said they were looking for an agreement as soon as possible.

He said: "My point of view remains that we need to call off these strikes so we can sit down and talk about things.

"There is general disappointment at reaching strike action at any point.

"It doesn't help anyone and the sooner we can resolve it, the better."

An hourly service was scrambled together on main routes yesterday thanks to drivers being called in from as far afield as London.

But many disgruntled passengers were still left frustrated by the on-going uncertainty.

There was a somewhat chaotic atmosphere at Poole bus station as Wilts & Dorset staff tried to point confused passengers in the direction of running buses.

Pensioner Pam Green, searching for a bus to take her home following a doctor's appointment, said she felt "let down" by the lack of buses.

But an RMT spokesman at the Poole depot said they had to look after drivers' interests.

He said: "We have jobs, positions and families to protect.

"Our days are long enough without them being pushed to the max."

The RMT say the dispute centres on a demand shifts should not involve more than four-and-a-half hours continuous driving.

Further strike days are currently scheduled for January 16 and 21.