Staff at Corus in Corby had been protesting after bosses told them they would not pay bonuses for the first quarter of this financial year.

More than 300 Community Union members had told bosses they would ballot for action if they were not given the money due to them.

Bosses have now backed down and workers will get their full bonuses in their next pay packet, as well as a second bonus for the second financial quarter.

Corus worker Ray Rodden said: "People will be pleased but, to be honest, they are only fulfilling the promise they made.

"They said if we made a profit by October we would get bonuses. They are just fulfilling an agreement we already had. We've stuck by our side of the agreement so there's nothing wrong in expecting them to stand by theirs.

"This has not been good for the relationship with the company and it will take a while to rebuild that relationship.

The bonus is based on agreements dating back 30 years and has always been a vital part of steelworkers' take-home pay.

Community had launched legal action against Corus and Community members at a number of Corus sites across the country were balloting for industrial action when the company announced the decision to pay the bonus.

Community Union national officer for steel Roy Rickhuss said: ''This shows the true value of Community Union membership, as we've led the campaign to win back the bonus."