A strike which threatened to cripple services at Gatwick Airport has been suspended as workers consider an improved pay deal.

Four days of walk-outs by the Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU), due to start on Thursday, were put on hold last night so workers could consider the new offer.

The fifth day of strike action, scheduled for Monday December 23, will go ahead if the dispute is not resolved.

Talks between airport bosses and the smaller union Amicus, which is also planning strikes, were last night continuing.

The two unions voted to take industrial action after airport operator BAA made a pay offer which it claimed was worth a pay hike of 6.3 per cent over two years.

The strikes would have seen 4,000 TGWU members and 400 Amicus members nationwide take part in 24-hour walk-outs at BAA's seven airports - Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Southampton, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh Workers have cited the company's big profits this year, compared with their own increased workloads and responsibilities following the September 11 terrorist attacks, to justify their wage demands.

The strikes were averted following talks with conciliation service ACAS, which saw BAA up its offer to an average increase of seven per cent on basic pay over two years.

TGWU national secretary for civil air transport Tim Lyle said: "In order to provide a pause for peace and to protect the union's legal position, the TGWU is suspending the first four days of strike action at BAA's seven airports.

"The final offer made by BAA represents a significant improvement and given the democracy enshrined in the TGWU it is only right and proper that the membership is given the right to vote on the total final package."

TGWU workers including firefighters and security staff will now be balloted on the offer. BAA said the new deal offered an average increase of £1,400.

Director Tony Ward said: "We are happy to offer this significantly improved pay deal and are pleased that the TGWU has called off strike action in order to put the offer to its members."

The planned strike days were November 28, December 2, December 10, December 15 and December 23.