Workers for Southern Rail are planning to stage strikes over the Christmas and New Year period, it has been announced.

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), the company that owns the franchise, has been in a battle with its workers for months over plans for more driver-only trains.

Staff now plan to strike on December 22 for three days, and for a further three days from New Year's Eve.

Due to the chosen dates being busy for people travelling to see family for the festive season, these strikes are likely to cause massive disruption.

Southern runs services through Tonbridge and Ashford.

The Rail, Maritime, and Transport Union (RMT) posted on its website to announce the strikes.

Mick Cash, RMT general secretary, said: "Yet again the sheer pig-headedness of the company and the Government means that our members are being forced to take further industrial action in a bid to maintain a safe and secure service on Southern Rail.

"This week we have seen repeated chaos on Southern Rail services that has shown once again that they are simply incapable of running safe and reliable services.

"The only obstacle to their removal from their management contract is the Government, which is calling the shots and pulling the strings behind the scenes while publicly claiming the dispute is between RMT and GTR.

"It is total nonsense but is a tactic which is deliberately blocking any chance of progress. That blockage has to be cleared as matter of urgency.

"In the light of the continuing public anger at the absolute state of the Southern Rail operation it is disgraceful that neither the company or the Government are prepared to engage and are continuing to attempt to impose driver-only operation in the interests of putting profit before safety.

"We call on them to get round the negotiating table rather than jamming their heads in the sand."

A spokesman for Govia Thameslink said: "Not content with causing months of misery, the RMT has now hit a new low and is determined to cancel Christmas for the travelling public.

"These latest strikes will not just hit families wanting to get home for Christmas but also the shops and businesses for whom Christmas is their busiest time.

"These strikes are spiteful, vindictive and pointless given the majority of conductors have now signed up to the new on-board role.

"This has never been about safety; it’s purely about the RMT hanging on to outdated working practices and union power."