Equal value claims were lodged in August 1997

Unison says the women could receive between �35,000 and �200,000 each, after the eight-year legal battle.

Union officials acted on behalf of staff employed by North Cumbria Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

The trust has not yet put a figure on the deal - only confirming that a "settlement" has been reached.

The union Unison compared the pay of female staff, including nurses, domestics and telephonists, with that of male workers, including building labourers, maintenance assistants and supervisors.

Some of the women are likely to receive up to 14 years difference in pay.

Equal value claims were lodged in August 1997 for 14 different working categories.

We are pleased that a proposed agreement has been reached and I trust that this long standing issue will soon be resolved in a sensible manner Trust chief executive, Marie Burnham

Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said: "It's been a long, hard struggle, but this is a fantastic result for the members involved.

"We have always argued that there has been historic pay discrimination in the health service against women. It's dreadful, though, that it has taken so long to get justice for these hard-working women who are the backbone of the NHS."

The trust runs two hospitals, the Cumberland Infirmary and the West Cumberland Hospital.

In a statement the trust said: "A proposed agreement has today been reached between North Cumbria Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and the trade unions regarding the long-standing equal value claims.

"This proposed agreement will now be presented and recommended by trade unions to the 1,500 staff members involved.

"If accepted by claimants the trust and the trade unions will work through how and when the claims will be paid."

Marie Burnham, trust chief executive, added: "We are pleased that a proposed agreement has been reached and I trust that this long standing issue will soon be resolved in a sensible manner."

Around 100 members have retired since the case began and they will be paid compensation as well as receiving better pensions.

Details of the settlement will be put to staff at a meeting in Carlisle next week.