Train drivers and station staff have threatened to join conductors in taking strike action against troubled rail firm Arriva Trains Northern.

Representatives from train drivers' union ASLEF were today locked in crisis negotiations with Arriva in a bid to avert industrial action.

ASLEF is angry that three of its members were demoted to platform workers after the trains they were driving reportedly passed through red lights.

And today the TSSA, which represents station staff including ticket office clerks, revealed it was in the process of balloting its members over pay and conditions.

Alan Dodd, ASLEF's North East organiser, said he was hopeful that negotiations with Arriva would be successful.

But he warned: "If the talks break down again, we will get the support of our members without a doubt"

Steve Coe, negotiations officer for the TSSA, said he had "no doubt" that his members working for Arriva would back action over the firm's failure to renegotiate terms and conditions for station staff.

Members of the RMT union - which represents train conductors - held two days of industrial action last week, bringing virtually all of Arriva's services in the district to a halt.