If you were thinking of using the planned rail strike as an excuse to get out of something next Monday or Tuesday, tough luck – the strike has been called off.

The RMT and TSSA unions have suspended their planned 24-hour walkout.

This comes after the unions reached an agreement with Network Rail in their pay dispute.

Manuel Cortes, general secretary of the TSSA, said: "Our negotiating team at Acas has received a revised offer from Network Rail.

"As a result of this, they have suspended the planned industrial action, pending the outcome of a meeting of our workplace representatives next week."

The breakthrough came as workers, businesses and rail passengers were urged to prepare for travel chaos if the strike by thousands of workers went ahead.

Rail firms had already cancelled services on Monday and Tuesday and advised passengers not to travel.