LAST-DITCH talks between unions and management to avert a strike at Liverpool John Lennon Airport broke up without agreement last night.

It means industrial action by baggage handlers angered by plans to cut their pay by 40pc went ahead at 7pm.

Replacement staff had to be brought in from other airports.

The marathon 13-hour talks collapsed despite the airport management putting forward an "improved" offer, the terms of which are being kept under wraps until workers have been informed.

GMB union representatives have agreed to ballot their members on the new offer today, with the result expected on Wednesday morning.

In the meantime, the threatened five-day strike got under way at 7pm last night as baggage handlers failed to report for work. Around 50 GMB members picketed the main entrance to the airport throughout the night.

It is part of a series of strikes planned over the Christmas and New Year period, traditionally one of the airport's busiest times.

Airport owner Peel has drafted in staff from its Teesside and Sheffield sites to minimise the effects of the strike, as well as re-deploying workers within Liverpool itself.

JLA corporate affairs manager Robin Tudor said: "Both sides are keen to explore every avenue to resolve this dispute.

"The airport company has submitted a further improved proposal to the union, which they are now going to put to their members by conducting a consultative ballot.

"Although I cannot give any details on the new offer, it centres on the issue of pay cuts and compensation.

"In the meantime, contingency plans are in place and we are confident we can minimise any disruption to passengers while the dispute continues."

The dispute involves around 100 bag-gage handlers who are furious over plans to cut their pay.

Talks between unions and management to avert a strike began over breakfast at 8am yesterday and finally broke up at around 9pm last night.

Acas, the independent industry conciliation service, was brought in to referee discussions after the two sides failed to reach a settlement at a heated four-and-a-half hour meeting on Friday night.

The GMB union said baggage handlers believed they had no choice but to take industrial action. The strikes were originally announced after the failure of talks over managers' plans to slash baggage handlers' wages by 40pc.

Last night, GMB regional organiser Eileen Turnbull said: "This new offer is the first time management have addressed the concerns of our members.

"It is a meaningful start to negotiations, but the outcome of the issue is entirely up to our members and how they vote."

If the latest offer is rejected, two further strikes are planned from December 22-26 and January 5-9.