British Airways yesterday won a High Court legal battle brought in a last-ditch attempt to avert strikes by cabin crew.

The airline, facing mounting chaos because of the industrial dispute coupled with the volcanic ash cloud, went to court to urge a judge in London to grant an injunction blocking the strikes, due to start today.

Mr Justice McCombe granted the order against the union, Unite.

BA said: "We are delighted for our customers that Unite's plans for extreme and unjustified strike action cannot go ahead.

"We are sorry the court judgment cannot undo the disruption already suffered by some customers who were due to travel during the early days of the union's industrial action.

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