A SECOND 48-hour strike by Arriva train conductors was due to begin this morning, bringing further chaos for passengers.

Arriva confirmed last night that, despite talks with union officials during the weekend, agreement had again not been reached over a pay dispute.

But there was some good news for weary travellers in the region.

Arriva said it expected to be able to run more trains today and tomorrow during the strike.

About 32 per cent of its 1,600 daily services, including replacement buses, will be running, compared to 20 per cent during the previous two-day action, on January 24 and 25.

Julian Evans, of Arriva, said the company had longer to plan for the latest walkout, which was expected to begin from midnight.

It had also been able to train additional staff to act as conductors.

Mr Evans urged the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) workers' union to accept the "very fair" pay offer it had made to conductors.

They have been offered a three per cent rise on their basic £15,500 salary, plus five per cent productivity gains.

The RMT is pressing for parity with drivers, who received an 18 per cent rise last year.

It remains unhappy about the deal on the table and has threatened a regular run of monthly strikes.

l The following trains will run today and tomorrow.

Peak times: Carlisle/Hexham to Newcastle; Morpeth to Newcastle; Chester-le-Street to Newcastle; Newcastle to Sunderland; Scarborough to York; Middlesbrough to Whitby (school train).

Hourly service: York to Manchester Piccadilly. Every two hours: Darlington to Saltburn.