Tube strike called off at last minute

The Tube strike was dramatically called off late this afternoon.

Union bosses were set to finalise the deal tonight after Tube Lines offered small improvements to pay and working conditions.

RMT negotiators were recommending acceptance pending further negotiations.

It was a climb-down by Tube Lines who had previously insisted the "final deal" was already on the table.

A 72-hour strike, due to begin at Noon tomorrow and spread over four days, would have crippled services on the Northern, Jubilee and Piccadilly lines and lost the national economy around £50 million.