A planned train strike could hit one of the busiest travel days of the festive period, with workers walking out three days before Christmas.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT), has announced workers on the Virgin West Coast line will strike six times in December and January, with one walkout planned to take place on 22 December.

The union said around 1,800 train managers, on-board catering staff and other workers would be involved in the action.

As Christmas falls on a Monday, a strike on the Friday before could scupper thousands of people's plans to travel to family and friends for the holiday period.

Holidaymakers heading out of London will also be badly hit by closures due to planned engineering works at several stations.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union said the industrial action, which will take place on 15 and 22 of December, and then 5, 8, 26, and 29 January, are in a row over pay and working conditions.

General secretary Mick Cash, said: "Our members on Virgin West Coast are striking for workplace equality and workplace justice.