Contractors at ExxonMobil’s Fawley refinery have reached a deal after taking industrial action, a union has announced.

Workers at the refinery went on strike for more than a fortnight in November last year.

A deal has now been struck with union GMB saying it is ‘confident’ this will be acceptable to its members.

READ MORE: Fawley strike: Protesters halt traffic on A326 at Hardley

Bryan Hulley, GMB Regional Officer, said: "I would like to apologise to local people who had their lives disrupted by our actions, I am grateful to those who were patient and helped our members to secure this victory.

"There is now a deal on the table which, with a few tweaks, I am confident will be acceptable to GMB members.

"I cannot speak for Unite and I doubt they will be able to speak for themselves since they failed to send anybody to engage in talks with ExxonMobil and their contractors.

"No problem for us, we are mostly boilermakers by trade and are more than capable on our own."

Last November, police were called after scores of protesters marked the start of strike action at Fawley refinery by blocking the road outside the huge complex.

Images showed activists standing in front of vehicles on the Hardley roundabout, which is next to the entrance used by tankers entering and leaving the refinery.

Due to the industrial action, teachers were unable to reach New Forest Academy, which was forced to postpone the start of the school day until 11am.