Workers at a leading rail company are to stage a 24-hour strike in a dispute over jobs and other issues.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union at First Great Western, operated by the Aberdeen-based First Group, will walk out from 6.30pm on July 8.

The union said around 2,000 members will be involved in the action, including drivers and train crew.

The news followed a ballot which showed backing for strikes by 80 per cent, and other forms of action by 92 per cent. The union is in dispute over the introduction of new trains after seeking assurances over jobs, buffet car facilities and maintenance.

The RMT said the East Coast operation had given them assurances.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "RMT has made every effort to secure a series of very basic assurances from FGW over jobs, services and safety as a result of the introduction of the new Hitachi fleet and they have simply ignored us. We therefore had no option but to ballot all staff for action to force the company to take this issue seriously and the members have now voted decisively for action. That mandate will now be considered by the union."

A First Great Western spokesman said: "These new trains, the largest fleet upgrade on the Great Western for a generation.

"The best way to make the most of these new trains, in an efficient and safe way, is by the use of driver operation of the doors."