UNION heavyweight Bob Crow has bolstered the frontline at Poole Bus Station where drivers were striking for the third time this month.

Mr Crow, the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union general secretary, manned the picket line yesterday with around 40 drivers and supporters.

Passengers across the county suffered another 24-hour disruption as more than 375 drivers took industrial action over working hours.

But Wilts & Dorset bosses say around ten per cent of workers who manned picket lines on strike days earlier this month have already returned to work.

Despite crisis talks between local union representatives and bus chiefs a fourth strike day is still scheduled for January 23.

Mr Crow told the Echo: "I am here to support my members who are trying to resolve this by getting around the table, but it is going to be hard because we are dealing with a management hell-bent on keeping this strike going."

However Wilts & Dorset managing director Alex Carter called for the RMT to be "brave enough" to call off impending action so talks can take place without the company having "a gun held to its head".

He said: "The vast majority of our shifts already comply with the RMT's latest claim, and within that driving time there are short breaks anyway when the bus reaches the end of its route.

"We see no reason why we should meet the terms being demanded."

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

A skeleton service, running hourly and half-hourly within the Bournemouth conurbation, was in place yesterday after supervisors and managers were drafted in from other parts of the company.

Mr Crow said: "These people are not experienced drivers, they don't drive buses along these roads every day.

"Our members are not out on strike for fun - they are losing money and want to be able to work, but these hours are unacceptable."

He added: "We want management to draw up proper rosters that do not put the public or drivers - who are already working under stressful conditions - in danger."

Mr Carter said: "The key to solving this issue is the withdrawal of all strike action.

"I don't think Bob Crow arriving on the picket line is going to add anything new to the equation."