Southern to hold talks with RMT union about ending strike

Talks aimed at averting further strikes by Southern rail conductors are to be held on Friday.

The development emerged hours before the end of a 24-hour walkout by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union in a dispute over the role of conductors and driver-only trains.

The strike, which ends at 11am today, caused travel chaos for tens of thousands of passengers, with services across southern England cancelled or disrupted.

Two more 24-hour strikes are planned next month.