A train operator which runs services through key North East stations has confirmed its timetable during strike action this week.

Members of the RMT union will walkout on Tuesday (June 21), Thursday and Saturday this week in a dispute over pay with chaos expected on the rail network.

Operator LNER runs trains on the East Coast Mainline from London to Edinburgh and stops at all of the main North East stations including Darlington, Durham and Newcastle.

It will run a reduced service this week with only 38% of its trains running and services expected to be very busy and has advised passengers to ‘avoid’ travel and warned of ‘last minute’ disruption to some services.

It said: “If you can avoid travelling over this period we recommend doing so.

Read more: Rail strikes: North East drivers warned of major delays

“If you do need to travel, please check your train before your journey.

“You can still travel during this time and we want to make sure you have the most comfortable journey with us. There might be some last minute changes to our timetable and onboard services.”

Services will not be running to some sections of the line with no trains stopping at Middlesbrough or Sunderland, although they will still call at Darlington, Durham, and Newcastle.

There will be two trains per hour running from London to Edinburgh.

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Commuters who normally use the service will find that early and late trains have been cancelled. The first train for commuters travelling from Darlington to Newcastle is not until 09.09 while the last train on strike days will leave Darlington at 17.08.

Passengers travelling south will find trains starting even later and finishing earlier.

The full timetable for each day of strike action can be found here.

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