UNION members are to end their long-running strike over job cuts and conditions at Southampton City Council which hit key services.

Workers voted overwhelmingly to call off tomorrow's all-out stoppage so union members could be balloted to formally accept new proposals.

The dispute, which has disrupted several services since February, followed plans by civic leaders to axe 130 posts and slash essential car allowances for hundreds of workers.

Unison bosses have now thrashed out a deal to retain the vast majority of allowances and reduce job cuts.

The industrial action has seen scores of workers refusing to use their cars for council business or cover for vacant posts.

An estimated 71 vacant posts will be deleted while just six current staff face being laid off and 14 workers are opting for voluntary redundancy.

Two meetings were held yesterday for hundreds of union members to discuss the fresh proposals.Unison branch secretary Mike Tucker said: "They voted overwhelmingly to suspend industrial action and ballot all members in order to formally accept the council's proposals.

"During the first meeting the vote was around ten to one in favour."

He added he would be pressing for further negotiations over plans to still increase car-parking charges for staff in the city centre. Civic chiefs have also agreed to implement a pay review deal for staff. Mr Tucker said: "Members are keen to settle the dispute. People are keen to get back to their normal work to provide the services they are employed to do."

Benefits worker Alistair Poole, 20, said: "Hopefully things will be sorted now so we can carry on with our usual work."

Other cost-cutting measures unveiled by the City Council towards the end of last year were scrapping Christmas lights, reducing grass cutting and even axing mayoral buffets.

Council tax bills have also soared by 18.5 per cent this year.

Council leader councillor June Bridle said: "I am pleased if the deal is proving to be acceptable and that people can return to doing their jobs."