Train services across north Wales and north west England are to be hit by two 48-hour rail strikes next month.

Drivers at two train companies, First North Western and Wales & Borders, are staging the action in separate disputes over pay.

The strikes are planned for both companies on 14, 15, 21, and 22 December.

The stoppage are planned for December

It is hoped talks can be arranged with both firms before then.

The trains drivers union Aslef announced the stoppages after 62% of its members in First North Western voted against the latest pay deal put forward by the firm.

The firm had made an offer of a 19% increase over two years.

The offer, which would have been phased in over three years, would have provided a driver with a basic salary of �28,000 for a 35-hour, four-day working week.

Aslef said 80% of its members in Wales & Borders trains voted for industrial action over the issue of harmonisation of pay rates.

It will bring renewed delays and disruption for rail travellers across north Wales following a series of weekend stoppages during the summer and autumn.

Coaches have been used on some routes

A 48-hour stoppage in October was suspended pending the result of the latest ballot.

First North Western had been providing more than 200 coaches to provide a stand-in road service on some routes.

The company normally runs around 1,500 services per day on its network, which spreads from Cumbria to the Midlands and along the north Wales coast.

Aslef leader Mick Rix said the disputes could be settled before the stoppages went ahead.

But he accused the Strategic Rail Authority of interfering in the negotiations.

"Both these disputes could be resolved through negotiation without industrial action being taken.

"The SRA should stop interfering in the conduct of collective bargaining."