PASSENGERS have been warned to check before they travel as a 24-hour strike by Arriva Trains Northern conductors got under way today.

About 670 conductors walked out from midnight in a strike over pay. They are joining 300 station and retail employees of the company, who are taking a second day of strike action.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, which represents conductors, said services throughout the north of England would be severely disrupted, with no services on some routes.

But Arriva said about 55 per cent of its services would be running, following "limited disruption" yesterday.

The conductors' dispute is over a proposed three per cent pay rise, which the union says is unfair because drivers were offered 18 per cent. Station and retail staff are also in dispute with Arriva over proposed pay restructuring.

Bob Crow, RMT general secretary, said: ''As far as conditions are concerned, this company just cannot get away with giving one grade an 18 per cent pay rise, a £400 Christmas bonus and back-dated pension enhancements, while treating everybody else with contempt.''

Arriva said it was disappointed that strike action was taking place and apologised for any inconvenience caused.