A planned strike by workers at an oil refinery in a row over pay has been called off.

Members of Unite at the Fawley refinery near Southampton were due to walk out for 24 hours today.

A union spokesman said: ''We are pleased to announce that after talks a new pay parity deal has been agreed.

''As a result , the 24 hour strike by specialist workers, employed by Italian company Nico Industrial Services, due to have started at 00.01 tomorrow at the Esso refinery, has been called off.

''The pay parity deal is backdated to September last year. Unite will also be recognised for collective bargaining purposes by the employer.

''Unite looks forward to working with the company in a constructive fashion in the future.''