STAFF at a North-East prison were returning to normal working last night after days of industrial action.

A small number of officers at Holme House Prison, Stockton, were working to rule in protest at a recent seven per cent pay increase.

But the High Court ruled on Friday that the Prison Officers' Association at Holme House had to give up its action.

It had broken a voluntary agreement made by the national association not to take action.

Martin Narey, director general of the Prison Service, said yesterday: "By breaking the agreement, a tiny minority of officers at just one prison were putting the future of the voluntary agreement and the Pay Review Body in severe doubt."