People planning to travel to Europe in the run-up to Christmas could have their trips disrupted.

Train managers at rail operator Eurostar have voted to go on strike in a row over new rosters.

The RMT union and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association say their members have overwhelmingly backed industrial action.

Union bosses also urged the company to withdraw the disputed rosters and negotiate in order to avoid industrial action in the run-up to Christmas.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: “Our members have told the company very clearly that imposing unfair and unequal rosters is no way to reward staff who did all they could to help Eurostar get back to normal after the recent Channel tunnel fire.

“We hope the company will now get back in step with its own policy, withdraw these imposed rosters and get back around the table with us to find a fair and equitable solution.”

TSSA general secretary Gerry Doherty said: “Nobody wants to see services disrupted as Christmas approaches, but our members are telling us that they cannot accept unfair and imposed rosters that undermine their work-life balance.”

Eurostar is preparing a response to the strike action ballot.