Some 2,300 members of the RMT union, led by general secretary Bob Crow (foreground), began a 72-hour strike on Monday over job concerns following the collapse of Metronet.

Metronet workers maintain large parts of the London Underground network, which has been crippled by the strike - with only three lines running services.

Many of the busiest stations on the underground were completely closed by the action, which has been condemned by operator Transport for London.

Temple station lay silent during the normally busy rush hour on Tuesday.

Although some travellers were able to use trains on the three lines still operating - the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines, which are maintained by a different firm.

However, most people arriving in central London on Tuesday morning faced a difficult journey to work.

Many were directed to other forms of public transport such as local bus routes.

But there were reports of long bus queues in some areas, with people waiting at stops while full vehicles drove past.

Others found their way to work under their own steam.