The Unite union has called off plans for a strike after airport operator BAA agreed to a revised pay deal for its staff.

The decision - which comes as a relief to thousands of holidaymakers - was taken after nearly nine hours of talks between the two sides, overseen by conciliation service Acas.

About 6,000 employees of BAA had voted in favour of a strike in last week's ballot against the one per cent hike in pay. The industrial action would have rendered BAA's six airports, which collectively handle over 300,000 passengers a day, non-serviceable.

Unite will urge BAA staff at Heathrow, Stansted, Southampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports to concede to the deal.

Details of the offer will be made public once workers have been informed of the proposals.