Ballot results have shown the 500 members of the service have accepted a revised pay offer from the county's Ambulance Trust.

The deal means the transport staff have secured a 17.2 per cent rise , while paramedics will receive an 11 per cent increase, both over two years.

The ambulance service unions have also succeeded in securing an additional award - which is still to be determined - in April 2003.

Richard Parker, the regional officer of Unison said: "Finally Lincoln's ambulance staff are no longer the lowest paid in the country and the award does go some way to addressing the issue of poverty pay of our members."

Ballot result

Lincolnshire Ambulance Service director of Corporate Affairs Noel Wade said: "We are delighted with the result of the ballot. The revised offer is a very good one when taking into account the current constraints."

He added: "We believe it addresses the real concerns over pay, and it would seem the majority of our staff share that view."