Rail commuters can breathe a sigh of relief today after train strikes set to take place at the end of the week were postponed.

Members of Rail, Maritime & Transport (RMT) union were in dispute with Network Rail over pay, and as a result rail operators - including Abellio Greater Anglia - were expected to be running significantly reduced timetables across its network from Thursday.

However, earlier today Network Rail put revised proposals to union members, who have agreed to postpone the strikes while they consider the proposals.

Network Rail had originally offered employees a £500 bonus payment over four years, followed by three years of rises in line with inflation.

Union members also postponed a strike over the bank holiday weekend at the end of May while they considered proposals for a 1% pay rise this year, and a further rise of 1.4% in January, an offer that was declined last week.

Network Rail chief executive Mark Carne said: “I am very pleased that the industrial action has been suspended.

“With ACAS’s help, we have had very constructive talks with the unions over the weekend and I hope they will be able to agree this deal.”

Social media users are encouraged to keep up-to-date with the dispute by using the hashtag #IndustrialAction