RAIL passengers in Kent face overcrowding and delays tomorrow and Monday when strikes by train guards take place.

Services will be disrupted after peace talks broke down yesterday. Members of the Rail Maritime and Transport Union and nine rail companies, including Connex, are in dispute over the safety role of guards.

Connex is aiming to put on a 70 per cent service on the two days, and for a third 24-hour strike planned for April 17, but accepts there will be extra inconvenience for the public.

Connex has trained other staff, including station managers, to perform the guard duties on its services.

Full timetables are available on www.connex.co.uk or by phoning National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950.

Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT, advised passengers not to use trains on the strike days. He said: There will be a major disruption to train services. It beggars belief that these train companies are not prepared to accept the changes we are offering."