NORTHERN has warned customers to not travel during the RMT strikes next week.

The two 48-hour walk-outs, which will take place on December 13-14 and 16-17, coupled with the knock-on impact on December 15 in between the strikes, means an effective five-day travel ban for rail users.

During this period, all but a handful of services will be cancelled – and the vast majority of the train operator’s stations will be closed.

Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said: “This is the last thing we want to do in the run-up to Christmas, but with the RMT pressing ahead with these 48-hour strikes, we have no option but to advise customers not to travel.

"We can only apologise once again for the disruption their action will cause.”