Heathrow Express strike cancelled by RMT

The union said it wanted a deal to take it through to the 2012 Olympics

A planned strike by Heathrow Express workers has been called off after a new pay offer, it has been announced.

Members of the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union were due to stage a 24-hour walkout from 0915 BST on Sunday.

The service runs between Heathrow Airport and Paddington station.

"The RMT executive is calling on members to vote to accept the new and improved offer," a union spokesman said.

RMT members also planned to ban overtime this weekend and early next week, but this action has also been suspended.

In May, members of the union went on strike for 48 hours after rejecting the company's offer of a 4.5% pay increase over one year.

"Following receipt of an improved offer from the company, strike action and action short of a strike on Heathrow Express scheduled for next week has been suspended to allow for a referendum ballot of members on the new proposals," the RMT spokesman added.