Tanker drivers whose four-day strike disrupted fuel supplies last weekend have formally agreed a 14 per cent pay deal.

The rise, which will see basic pay increased to £36,000, will be introduced over two years. The announcement ends fears of further industrial action.

Drivers from Hoyer and Suckling, the firms which delivers to Shell filling stations, voted 453 to 56 in favour of the deal. They will receive a nine per cent rise in year one, followed by a five per cent rise in the second 12 months.

The deal was brokered with the hauliers by union Unite.

Gerry McKenna, lead negotiator for Hoyer, said: “We are pleased our drivers have accepted this competitive pay deal and the threat of industrial action has been lifted.”

In last week's four-day strike, which began on June 13, hundreds of petrol stations ran dry because of a freeze on deliveries and and a huge increase in sales as drivers feared running out of fuel.

The striking drivers had threatened to call a second strike this week, and possibly more in future, if a deal was not struck. But on Thursday Unite confirmed planned action for this weekend had been shelved thanks to a breakthrough in negotiations.

Fresh talks between the two firms and union officials began on Tuesday after the first four-day strike ended.

Following today's agreement, a driver working a 48-hour week will receive a basic salary of £36,000, although independent haulage companies maintain their staff will receive an average of £40,000.

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