PLANNED strikes by Hampshire health workers in a row over pay have been suspended after a breakthrough in talks.

Members of Unison, the GMB and Unite were due to walk out on Thursday and again next month in protest at the Government's refusal to accept a recommended 1 per cent wage rise for all NHS staff.

Extensive talks between union leaders and officials at the Health Department led to fresh proposals which will now be put to workers.

The offer is believed to include a consolidated 1 per cent payment for staff up to senior level, an additional £200 consolidated payment for lower paid staff, the first point on the pay scale to be abolished and the second raised to £15,100.

There is also a commitment from the Government to the NHS Pay Review Body, which will continue to make future recommendations on pay increases for NHS staff in 2016/17.

Unison's head of health Christina McAnea said: ''The two strike days staged by health workers last year have moved the government to negotiate with the unions.

''This isn't a great offer but it addresses some of the key concerns unions have about low pay in the NHS. In the interest of patients' safety unions will now consult members.

''It will be up to members to decide whether to accept or reject the proposals. If they choose to reject them we will move to further industrial action.''

The GMB said it will consult 22,000 of its members in the NHS in England and Northern Ireland on the new offer that emerged after a week of talks.

A national meeting of the union's NHS committee will take place on February 4, when a timetable for a consultation will be agreed.

National officer Rehana Azam said: ''GMB is pleased that after a week of talks we have secured a new offer. This enables us to suspend the strike action while we consult with our members on whether they wish to accept the offer or not.''

Cathy Warwick, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives, which was planning a two-hour stoppage on Thursday, said: ''I am pleased the Government came to the negotiating table to seek a solution. I believe this offer represents the best that can be achieved by negotiations and we will consult with members in England.

''Midwives are caring people who work long hours to give excellent care to women and their babies, often working beyond their shift and through their breaks. Even during our industrial action midwives have maintained safety for women and their families. They deserve to be valued by Government and employers.

''We hope that now we have agreements in Scotland and Wales and an offer in England, we can achieve the same in Northern Ireland.''