Bob Crow’s deputy was yesterday elected to serve as RMT’s general secretary after the legendary union leader’s 12 years at the helm ended with his untimely death earlier this year.

Mick Cash, 54, beat four rivals in a ballot to become union’s new leader.

He has been a member of the RMT and its predecessor National Union of Railwaymen for 35 years.

Born in Watford, Mr Cash has spent all his adult life in the railways, working as a railway engineer before becoming a union official.

He has served as RMT’s acting general secretary since Mr Crow’s death in March from a heart attack.

“I want to thank the membership of RMT for giving me an overwhelming mandate as the newly elected general secretary,” said Mr Cash following the announcement.

“I am proud and honoured to have been given the enormous responsibility of now taking our fighting and militant union forwards, six months after the bitter loss to the labour movement of Bob Crow.

Mr Cash is regarded as a vastly experienced negotiator who has won some hard-fought agreements for union members.

He warned those who see him as a lighter touch than his predecessor: “There will be no deviation from the industrial, political and organising strategy mapped out by RMT under Bob’s leadership. Our fight on pay, jobs, working conditions, pensions and safety continues on every front and in every industry where we organise members.

“This union is in fighting shape for the battles that we know lie ahead.”