LAW & ORDER: SVU co-stars Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni have finally ended their months-long contract dispute with TV bosses, after signing two-year deals to remain on the show.

The pair reportedly jeopardised their return to the hit series by demanding more money from network bosses.

Hargitay and Meloni allegedly asked for a share of the programme's profits from the NBC network, in addition to the $350,000 (£233,335) they earned per episode - a rare deal similar to ones TV bosses cut with Law & Order: Criminal Intent stars Vincent D'Onofrio and Chris Noth.

Reports last April (09) suggested executives had threatened to dump the pair when their contracts expire in May (09) if an agreement could not be reached - but they have now agreed a new two-year deal.

Law & Order: SVU marks its eleventh year on air in September (09).