RAIL union RMT confirmed that train managers at Avanti West Coast would strike on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in a dispute over payment for rest day working.

The on-board train managers at Avanti — deemed one of Britain’s most incompetent train operators — overwhelmingly rejected company proposals to settle the dispute and voted to strike.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Avanti West Coast created this dispute by ignoring train managers’ concerns and presenting offers those members deemed unacceptable.