STRIKE action at the college campus in Alloa has finally been lifted, after an agreement was made between the teaching union and the management side.

Lecturers staged a number of walk outs over the last few weeks as relations between the EIS and Colleges Scotland descended into a bitter war of words.

At one point, the latter was accused of peddling fake news and reneging on a deal brokered in March 2016.

Industrial action was supported by the vast majority of EIS members and teaching staff downed tools on a number of occasions over the last few weeks.

Classes were cancelled on the first day of strikes, on April 27, though bosses at Forth Valley College said they made every effort to reduce disruption throughout.

However, photography students were facing the possibility of having their end of year exhibition cancelled, but staff say the matter has now been resolved.

All parties now say they are looking forward to a return to normal operations, as the teaching term comes to a close.

Larry Flanagan, EIS general secretary, said: "Following a further round of talks we have reached a position where Colleges Scotland have agreed to honour the deal. As a result, all future planned strike action is suspended."

A spokesperson for the Colleges Scotland Employers' Association added: "We are pleased that we've reached an agreement, subject to ratification, which not only means an end to the strikes but also, crucially, ensures that colleges can return to business as usual. This is a positive step forward for everyone involved."

The stalemate was broken after two days of "intensive negotiation" between the two parties.

Dr Ken Thomson, principal of Forth Valley College, said: "We welcome this breakthrough and are delighted that disruption to student learning has been brought to an end. I am personally delighted to hear that both sides have expressed a hope that this would provide a sound foundation for the college sector moving forward.

"Our focus now will be on putting arrangements in place to recoup any class time lost throughout the period of industrial action and providing students with the support to achieve their qualifications."

With regards to the photography students' exhibition, the colleges' head of creative industries Martin Boyle said: "Unfortunately, the planned industrial action dates coincided with the planned launch night and set-up dates for the exhibition, so it was vital to plan ahead and put alternative options in place as soon as possible.

"Working with students and lecturers, alternative options were considered, and in the end the best solution was to move the exhibition opening one day later. It will now begin on the evening of Friday, 2 June and remain open to the public until Wednesday, 7 June.

"We've worked with students across art, design and photography to ensure that their work will be showcased in the best possible way...The exhibition is for students, by students, and remains a hugely important part of college life."