Two rail strikes planned for May Bank holiday

Double rail strikes are being planned for the May Bank holiday weekend.

Staff at Virgin Trains East Coast will walk out for 48 hours from Apr 28. Arriva Rail North faces a 24-hour strike on the same day, the Rail, Maritime and Transport union has announced.

Four train companies are now embroiled in disputes over staffing and driver-only trains, although talks are planned between the union and Southern and Merseyrail.

Virgin said it had contingency plans in place to deal with the strike, and will run a near-normal timetable.