Council-run nurseries have been affected by action

More than 80% of the capital's 400 nursery nurse staff took part in the pay ballot.

Service sector union Unison praised its members' "dignity and commitment" during the strike.

The council's revised offer followed negotiations with the Unison union and conciliation service Acas.

Nursery staff were told that their pay would rise to between �15,906 and �17,000 with an initial lump sum of between almost �1,800 and �2,500.

I have never seen a group of people go through something like this with so much dignity and commitment John Stevenson Unison

Unison balloted all 401 of its members and received 323 papers, with 272 in favour of accepting the deal and 51 voting against.

Edinburgh branch secretary John Stevenson said the strike had been "difficult and onerous" and praised the nursery nurses for their conduct.

"They are absolutely wonderful people. I have never seen a group of people go through something like this with so much dignity and commitment.

"This is the first time I have ever seen a group of members achieve a 10% rise in their pay and a large lump sum.

National deal

"There is also the opportunity for one in three of them to go onto a higher grade and earn �17,000."

But Mr Stevenson criticised the city council and claimed nursery nurses would have returned to work "with their heads held high" if they had been offered �400 more.

He also questioned the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities' assertion that it could not consider a national pay agreement for nursery nurses.

"Cosla is a shambles. It is saying on one hand that it can't do a national deal and on the other hand councils are speaking to each other and trying to get the same pay for all," he said.

We very much value nursery nurses and I think the pay offer is a reflection of this Frank Russell Edinburgh City Council

A city council spokeswoman said the pay deal represented an immediate salary increase of 14.5% for nursery nurses at the top of their scale and an average increase of 12.5%.

Every nursery nurse in the area would receive an immediate lump sum of between �1,787 and �2,500, she added.

Councillor Frank Russell said: "I'm delighted that the strike is over and relieved that the disruption to children's pre-school education and inconvenience to parents is at an end.

"We very much value nursery nurses and I think the pay offer is a reflection of this."

Employers' hope

A Cosla spokesman said it was pleased nursery nurses in Edinburgh had agreed to return to work.

He urged the other councils still on strike to reach local agreements.

The majority of Scotland's 32 councils have reached local agreements on nursery nurse pay. However, Glasgow staff rejected a revised deal on Wednesday.

Glasgow City Council, which employs almost one quarter of Scotland's nursery nurses, claimed that more than 60 staff were set to end their three-month all-out strike.

Nursery nurses in Renfrewshire appear no nearer to resolving their dispute whereas staff in Fife, while technically on strike, may return to work next week.