Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers' union (RMT) voted to strike on Christmas and New Year's Eve over bonus payments.

The strike, which will also run into New Year's Day, is going ahead as union members say they are not being given the same bonuses as train drivers.

Central Trains' guards are also striking over the same period.

Season of goodwill

Emma Knight from Midland Mainline said she was disappointed over the decision to strike.

"We will be running the best possible service we can for our passengers. We're going to be checking who is coming in and should be able to run a near normal timetable," she said.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "Midland Mainline appear to believe that this is the season of more goodwill for some than others.

"They have tabled an offer on Christmas and New Year working worth a lot more to some staff than the rest.

"You could have three people from the same street working the same train, with one crew member getting �200 extra, another getting �125 and one getting �100.

"Our members are asking why they should volunteer to give up their festive Sundays for that."

Over 500 senior conductors at Central Trains are going on strike over the "imposition of centralised rostering and Christmas and New Year pay arrangements".