Writers could return on Wednesday

Striking US writers could return to work on Wednesday after a formal ballot on a contract deal.

Writers Guild of America leaders announced on Saturday they had reached a "tentative deal" with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers before holding meetings with members.

There will now be ballots to approve the agreement in Los Angeles and New York on Tuesday. Members will be notified of the result as late as midnight PST.

If, as is strongly expected, it is positive they will be able to work the next day.

WGA West president Patric Verrone said the leaders could have approved the contract independently. He added: "We felt it was important to the members who had been out there on the picket lines that they are part of the decision to lift the restraining order."

After Tuesday's ballots there will be a postal vote by members which could take 10 to 12 days to complete.