More than two out of every five trains will be cancelled during a fresh strike on Southern Railway starting today, it's been revealed.

Members of the RMT Union started their two-day walkout just after midnight in a long-running row over the role of conductors.

Almost 60% of trains are expected to run, but the company is warning there will be no service at all in some areas.

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The timing of the latest strike is likely to have a potentially greater impact on regular rail users, including pupils and students who use the service to get to and from schools and colleges.

There are two main routes operated by Southern which serve Kent: the Tonbridge to London via Redhill and the Ashford to Brighton via Hastings.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said after the announcement last month: “This action has been forced on us by the arrogance and inaction of the Govia Thameslink and the Government who have made it clear that they have no interest in resolving this dispute or in tackling the daily chaos on Southern.

"Instead they have begun the process of bulldozing through the drive towards wholesale Driver Only Operation without agreement and without any concern for the impact on safety, security and disability access.”

Kent County Council has heavily criticised the way Southern has responded to the dispute by introducing an emergency timetable that has led to 300 services being scrapped.

Last month, passengers faced disruption during a five-day strike, which was suspended after three days to allow further talks.

The union is fighting plans to turn conductors into "on-board supervisors".