Thousands of "forgotten" health service workers have been offered an inflation-busting pay rise.

NHS ancillary workers, who include clerical and administrative staff, porters and lab technicians, are expected to get a 3.7 per cent rise from April.

The figure is the same as the Government's basic pay increase offered to nurses at the end of last year.

Union representatives say they are delighted the importance of the ancillary staff is being recognised.

Last year workers in Sussex accused the Government of forgetting them when they were offered a lower rise than nurses.

They said many support staff often did much more than their contracted job and hours just to keep the health service going for which they often received no overtime payments or enhanced rates.

Now union bosses have thrashed out a new deal with the Government.

Peter Atkinson of public sector union Unison welcomed the news and said it was a step in the right direction.

He said: "While we are not swinging from the chandeliers with excitement it is still a significant, above-inflation offer and sends a message to these groups of staff that they have not been forgotten."

Unison is expected to formally accept the offer in the next month.