Debbie Sheen, 37, and Lynn McKay, 35, were told of the decision after Eurostar, which runs services to Paris and Brussels through the Channel Tunnel, conducted surveys of employees and passengers.

They showed big support for giving female staff the option to wear skirts or trousers.

Of the 22 security officers who responded, 20 said they should have the option, while two said they preferred to wear skirts.

'More comfortable'

Hundreds of female passengers were also questioned, with half saying female security officers should be given a choice and another 30% expressing no preference. About 12% said they would prefer female security officers to wear skirts for screening duties.

Eurostar said it had instructed Securitas to amend its uniform code to allow female security officers to wear trousers in passenger screening areas, as well as other areas of duty.

"We have believed throughout that we should ensure any decision on this very specific issue is based on the views of those affected," a Eurostar spokeswoman said.

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"The results of the survey have clearly indicated that this issue is not straightforward and that consultation with those affected was the only fair approach."

The women had complained after being told to wear skirts while screening passengers at the Eurostar terminal, saying it was more comfortable to wear trousers and more appropriate for their work.

Talks at the conciliation service Acas broke down, but Eurostar decided to sound people out with its surveys.

The women's union, the GMB, had been preparing to take cases to an employment tribunal.

Paul Kenny, GMB regional secretary, said: "If this means that our members can return to work with their heads held high and without fear of victimisation, they will have won an important victory for women everywhere."