Three-quarters of train services across northern England are running as normal despite a 24-hour strike, claim rail bosses.

The one-day walkout, which started at midnight on Saturday, was the 19th day of industrial action by the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) over pay..

Rail company Arriva Trains Northern said 75% of the network had services despite the strike, although some ticket offices may be closed.

Members of the RMT held a demonstration in Newcastle on Saturday in support of the action.

A number of good offers have been put on the table and it is time for the RMT to take stock of the situation

Euan Cameron, managing director of Arriva

The union insists that a two-year deal offered by the company is worth less than one made six months ago.

But Arriva claims the offer, of a 4% pay rise plus 1.4% for productivity gains and a 3% increase from next April, is better than deals accepted by the union at other train operators.

The walkout was expected to cause disruption to services across the north of England.

Station and retail staff were also striking on Saturday in a separate pay dispute.

But a spokeswoman for the company said: "Services are running as we said they would be - 75% of the network is covered."

'Lowest pay rates'

Managing director Euan Cameron said: "A number of good offers have been put on the table and it is time for the RMT to take stock of the situation."

Arriva claimed that almost 200 workers, including 80 conductors, would not join the walkout on Saturday.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "Arriva must understand that the RMT will no longer tolerate what are among the lowest pay rates in the rail industry."