A STRIKE by workers on Virgin Trains East Coast was "well-supported" but it had little impact on services to travellers in the region, it emerged last night.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport workers' union mounted picket lines after talks failed to break the deadlock in a long-running dispute over jobs.

Virgin said it was running a full timetable, with some minor changes – with three services having to have their route altered because of a shortage of crew.

RMT officials said around 200 jobs were threatened, and that trains would become less safe, and as many as 1,800 members were taking part in yesterday's strike.

The general secretary Mick Cash said: "RMT members are solid and united in support of the action in defence of jobs, and the trade union movement salutes them.

"They have mounted the biggest and most expensive scabbing operation in recent rail history with managers from across the country dragged in to commandeer our trains."

The company – which operates services between London, the North-East and Scotland – said it had contingency plans in place to run a "normal and safe timetable".

A statement said: "Virgin Trains is making changes to customer-facing roles which will see a single person take responsibility for the customer experience.

"This will have no impact on safety, and will result in a better experience for customers."

David Horne, managing director for Virgin Trains on the EastCoast, said: "We're extremely disappointed with the RMT's decision to proceed with strike action when we have given assurances on each point raised by the union.

"We agreed to the specific concessions set out by the RMT, but despite this they have decided to go ahead with today's walkout.

"This strike is costing RMT members pay for no reason, particularly as the RMT has agreed to hold further talks with us later this week."