LECTURERS at Blackburn college abandoned a walk-out plan after last minute talks, it was revealed today.

Hundreds of lecturers were due to abandon their posts during a key Ofsted inspection after the college refused to agree to national pay agreements.

But the college was forced to backtrack after an emergency governors' meeting, according to the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education.

Branch chairman John Easton said principal Sheena Ewing agreed to reinstate traditional policy and award a full 3.5 per cent annual pay rise.

Lecturers in the union, some 300 at the college, took the decision to strike in a postal ballot at Christmas.

They were angered by the college's refusal to honour all sections of a national pay agreement set at the National Joint Forum -- a meeting between employers and college workers unions.

Mr Easton said two meetings in January decided by overwhelming majority to strike -- and target the crucial inspection week by the education watchdog last week.

But action, which would have affected thousands of students preparing for exams and coursework, was ditched when an agreement was reached.

Mr Easton added: "Our members were strong, united and well organised. We are determined to prevent any precedent that allows colleges to sign up to agreements and then pick and choose which parts they want to honour."

Sheena Ewing said: "The college has honoured all the points in the negotiated pay deal.

"Many colleges have not yet made statements on their position on the pay deal and I understand that there are likely to be national ballots."