The government's battle with NHS consultants has been ended with a deal on new contracts.

Health secretary John Reid announced a new agreement had been reached with the BMA following a round of last-ditch talks.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Department of Health said they had found "a way forward that is acceptable to both sides".

The BMA negotiating team announced it would recommend senior doctors accept the new working conditions when a ballot is held during the summer.

A feud between the two sides had been predicted after consultants voted against the first set of proposals put forward by the government earlier this year.

As part of the deal non-emergency work at evenings and weekends will only be carried out in agreement with the consultant and they will only offer the NHS one four hour session of spare time per week before doing private practice.

Reid said a conciliatory approach by the government had played a central part in reaching the "sensible agreement" which now clears the way for major modernisation of the NHS with initiatives like operations at the weekend.

"I made it clear that I was prepared to go the extra mile to resolve the dispute as long as both sides were prepared to compromise," Reid said.

"The key point in these discussions was that the interests of NHS patients obviously must come first.

"These discussions have been serious, professional and at times tough. Both sides wanted to get what was best for the NHS and all those who work for it. Obviously consultants will want to consider this deal and vote on it, but I hope that they recognise the benefits of going forward together in this way."