Rail passengers in the north of England are being warned they could face disruption through the winter.

Conductors at Arriva Trains Northern are in a long-running dispute with the company over a pay claim.

The next 24-hour strike by members of the Rail Maritime Transport (RMT) union is due to start on Saturday.

Now the company is warning its passengers that the on-going dispute is unlikely to be settled before the firm's franchise runs out in February next year.

'Settlement formula'

Strike dates have already been fixed right up to New Year's Eve.

After Saturday's stoppage, conductors plan to walk out on 25 July - bringing travel disruption to the opening of the Commonwealth Games.

But Stan Herschel, regional organiser of the RMT, said: "There has got to be a settlement some time and we have put forward a formula for a settlement.

"However, for reasons best known to themselves, the company just refuses to negotiate. We see no change on Arriva's part."

Offer invited

Conductors started their strike action after train driving colleagues at Arriva were given an 18% pay rise.

The RMT is now calling for conductors, who get �15,500 a year, to be paid �17,000.

Mr Herschel said: "If the company makes this offer we will put it to our members."

The Arriva Northumbria bus company is also involved in a pay dispute.