Around 100 workers from across Cumbria will next month join a three day strike on the county's Arriva Rail North services.

The RMT rail workers union said it remains locked into a long-running battle with the firm over plans to introduce more driver only trains and to axe guards, whose role they insist is "safety critical".

The industrial action is planned for July 8, 9 and 10. Carlisle based RMT official Craig Johnston said there was "solid" support for the strike action among Cumbrian members.

"Guards have a safety critical role," said Mr Johnston. "They have 35 operational safety critical competencies, and in emergencies can deal with signalling systems, evacuation, and securing the line. "They also provide reassurance for passengers.

Under driver only trains, all these skills will be lost. It's absolutely negligent to think of scrapping guards in this time of increased antisocial behaviour and security threats."

In Cumbria, the company runs services between Carlisle and Newcastle; Carlisle and west Cumbria; and Carlisle and Leeds."

The RMT's General Secretary Mick Cash added: “The public, who support RMT’s campaign for a guarantee of a guard on their trains, will be appalled that Arriva Rail North have failed yet again to offer any kind of progress whatsoever in the talks and have instead opted to try and bulldoze through their plans regardless.

"It is that flagrant disregard for the safety issues at the heart of the dispute which leaves us with no option but to press on with the campaign of strike action."

Commenting during earlier industrial action about the issue, Richard Allan, deputy managing director of Northern (Arriva Rail North), said: “Our employees want us to talk about changes we need to make to the on-board role as we modernise our railway.

"We believe we would keep a second person on many of our services and, at some locations, we may choose to staff the station to give better support to customers.

"In addition to protecting jobs and current pay, we are also willing to offer future, annual pay reviews for existing conductors if we can agree a deal with RMT.

"It is hugely disappointing that RMT is making demands rather than working with us to develop our plans. There is so much to discuss and we urge them to get back round the table."