More than half of the rides at Chessington World of Adventures will no longer shut over the May Bank Holiday weekends after planned strike action was called off. Engineers working at the popular theme park in Greater London, who are members of Unite, had voted earlier this month to strike in a dispute over pay.

The engineers were set to walk out over four blocks in May, including May Day weekend, King Charles' Coronation weekend and the late spring Bank Holiday weekend. Chessington previously said it aimed to keep 40per cent or more of the rides at the resort open during the walkouts.

But Unite has now called the strike action off after accepting an improved pay offer. The union previously demanded a pay rise for the engineers in line with the real inflation rate instead of a "real terms pay cut" which it claimed Merlin Attractions, which operates the resort, was proposing.

The revised pay offer comes after extensive talks with conciliation service Acas, Unite said, which resulted in an average pay rise of 13.53pc when calculating the average of the offers to each pay grade of the engineering bargaining group.

It means all rides and attractions at the theme park will now be available as normal, along with the zoo, entertainment and show offer.

Lui D'Cunha, Unite regional officer, said: "From the outset, Unite always believed that Chessington could afford to make an improved pay offer. Once the company realised the determination of our members an offer that met the engineers' expectations was made."

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, added: "This was an excellent result for our members who for the very first time stood together in unity and ensured that their employer made a fair pay offer. This pay victory is a fresh vindication of how Unite's relentless focus on enhancing jobs, pay and conditions is delivering for members."

A spokesperson at Chessington World of Adventures Resort said: "Following ongoing conversations with Unite, supported by third-party conciliation service, Acas, we restructured our original pay proposal and have reached an agreement with our engineering team that delivers for both the business and Unite members. As a result, the planned industrial action has been cancelled.

"We want to advise all guests that our rides and attractions will now be available as normal, alongside our Zoo, entertainment and show offer."