Bus drivers have been receiving letters today as the row over losing paid lunch breaks rumbles on.

Drivers at the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure have been contacting Manx Radio, claiming the government’s threatening to sack them unless they agree to new terms and conditions.

Eric Holmes of the union Unite says he’s seen the letters and will be holding further talks.

It’s the latest development in a row between the department and its drivers over cash-saving measures.

Last month, it emerged the department needed to make urgent savings of around ?300,000 – and targeted paid lunch breaks taken by bus staff.

But bus drivers claimed the move would cost each of them between ?3,500 and ?4,000 a year, the equivalent of a 12 per cent pay cut.

Eric Holmes, the new head of Unite on the Island, says he’s sent a response to the political member in charge of the bus service Graham Cregeen MHK.

He says he expects to be able to make a further statement tomorrow.