World Cup rail strike called off

The rail strike clashed with England's World Cup match

A planned strike by thousands of rail workers during an England World Cup game on 20 June has been called off, the RMT union said.

The strike would have hit workers trying to get home to watch England play Sweden.

A second strike on June 25, when England are likely to be playing another game, remains in place.

But the RMT executive has recommended a new deal be accepted, so that strike is expected to be cancelled too.

Up to 5,000 signal workers and operational staff had planned to walk out for the final group match with Sweden.

The Rail Maritime and Transport Union had called the strikes in protest at a three-year pay offer which officials said would only give workers the rate of inflation in the final two years.

The new offer covers a period of one year and nine months and RMT general secretary Bob Crow said it was probably the best in the rail industry.