THOUSANDS of rail maintenance workers are to receive an above-inflation pay rise.

About 19,000 employees of Network Rail will be given rises of inflation plus 0.75% after the firms and union representatives came to a deal.

The Rail Maritime and Transport union said the deal was worth between 3% and 4%.

"This deal gives our members an ahead-of inflation pay rise, with no strings attached," said RMT general secretary Bob Crow.

"It is among the best of recent settlements."