The largest rail union, RMT, has confirmed that they plan to take strike action across the entire rail network next week.

The 24-hour strike will start at 5pm on Bank Holiday Monday, May 25 and run through to Tuesday.

It will affect all passengers on Great Northern routes through the region as well as Abellio Greater Anglia and Virgin East Coast services.

RMT are currently locked in a dispute over pay and jobs with Network Rail and 80 per cent of its members voted for industrial action last week.

They have also called for members not to work any overtime, additional hours or extended shifts and to not answer any call-outs for the whole of that Monday and Tuesday.

General secretary Mick Cash said: “Our members have decisively rejected the pay package offered by Network Rail and the failure of the company to make any moves whatsoever in light of the overwhelming vote in the ballot has left us with no option but to move to a rolling programme of industrial action.

“It is our members battling to keep Britain moving around the clock and they deserve a fair share from Network Rail for their incredible efforts.”

It is believed Great Northern are still hoping to run some trains but they acknowledge the impact will be severe.

A spokeswoman said: “Now that the RMT has announced the timing of its industrial action, we are working closely with Network Rail and industry partners to establish the impact this will have on our services.

“And it will be significant.”

The company will release further details in the next couple of days.

The action may still be avoided as the RMT have said they are willing to continue talks with Network Rail.