Equal value claims were lodged in August 1997

Union officials are claiming the settlement could mean more than 1,500 female health workers in Cumbria sharing a �300m payout.

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

Trust chief executive Marie Burnham said the deal would not jeopardise health care services in the county.

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

This will not be to the detriment of health care services in North Cumbria Trust chief executive, Marie Burnham

The trust has not yet put a figure on the deal - but rejects claims it could reach the �300m mark.

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.

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

'Local problem'

"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.

Marie Burnham, trust chief executive, added: "At this stage it is very difficult to calculate what people will get. What I can say is that the settlement will not be anywhere near �300m.

"This is a local problem for Cumbria and we will have to find a lot of money to pay this bill.

'Sensible manner'

"But this will not be to the detriment of health care services in North Cumbria.

"We have been working with Department of Health and the strategic health authority who have assured me that service will not be jeopardised as a result of this.

"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."

About 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.