RAIL passengers face five more days of strike action this month.

South Western Railway workers will stage their next walk-out between Tuesday, June 18 and Saturday, June 22.

The strike is part of a long-running dispute about guards on trains and has been called by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers.

Talks had been protracted since industrial action was suspended in February, said the union.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "Our members are angry and frustrated that, despite suspending action in good faith, and entering into talks in a positive and constructive manner, South Western Railway have dragged their heels and failed to bolt down an agreement that matches up top our expectations on the guard guarantee.”

A South Western Railway spokesman said: "The union has always said it wanted us to keep the guard on every train which is what we have offered as part of a framework agreement.

"Now we want to move the conversation on to how we operate our new trains and take advantage of the new technology on board to benefit our customers.”