A shortage of Britain's favourite tea has been averted after Tetley workers accepted a new pay deal.

Almost 200 GMB members at Tata Consumer Products Limited, in Teesside – the only producer of Tetley tea for the UK and Canada - had voted for strike action.

A GMB Union spokesperson cited real terms pay cuts, pay rises which are not adequately adjusted for inflation, as the reason for the potential strike action.

However the predominantly women workforce has now accepted a new offer of a 7 per cent pay rise backdated to 1 April 2023.

Laura Maughan, GMB Organiser, said: "After years of real terms pay cuts, these low-paid, predominantly women workers have stood together and demanded more – and they’ve got it.

“This pay rise will enable them to support their families and stop replying on food banks.

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“These workers should be rightly proud of themselves and Tata should be congratulated for finally listening to their workforce.

“However, there is still a long way to go Tetley workers fight for pay justice.”