Train services in Kent could stop as early as midday on Christmas Eve due to strike action, rail bosses have warned.

Rail strikes are due to take place this week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, with services likely to also be affected on Thursday.

Passengers are warned to check services before they travel and to only use trains if absolutely necessary, as those services which are running are likely to be busy.

Network Rail warned action planned over the Christmas period would bring further complications for those looking to travel.

Spokesman Chris Denham said the ongoing action and the inability to find a solution was "devastating to all of us".

"The strike action over the next few weeks is going to have a huge impact, I'm really sorry to say," he said. "If there's one thing I'd like people to take away from this conversation is that on Christmas Eve, your last train home whether its from London or from further out in Kent, will be much much earlier than expected. It could be as early as midday or 1pm so please check before you travel. Then we've got more strikes in January (From January 3 and 4, and to January 6 and 7)."

Mr Denham added that an overtime ban for RMT members throughout the coming weeks was likely to cause further cancellations, beyond strike days, adding "what we're looking at is a period from December 13 all the way through to January 8, where there will be either severe disruption, no trains at all, or simply just days of cancellations.

"It's enormously disappointing and frustrating. We hear that strikes could go on ad nauseam. I'm not sure that's the case because I think in both circumstances, Network Rail and the union want a resolution because this isn't sustainable."

He said Network Rail was losing roughly £30 million from every strike day, compounding the loss of revenue suffered post Covid, with many commuters in the South East continuing to work partly from home following the pandemic.

"We're trying to work with RMT to find a solution to this dispute, but as we sit here at the moment I'm afraid that solution hasn't been found," he added. "I can only apologise on behalf of the railways.This is frankly devastating to all of us."

On strike days in Kent and South East London Network Rail is operating a 'key route strategy' staff will be focused on routes that carry the most passengers.

Mr Denham added: "We're looking at Metro routes in south east London, that's Dartford through places like Woolwhch, Abbey Wood, Eltham etc.

"We're going to be running trains down the mainline as far as Sevenoaks and HS1 will be open as well. Outside of that I'm afraid to say there won't be any trains at all, so my advice to customers is please check before you travel on strike days and only travel if you have to because the trains that are running are going to be very very busy."

The strike action comes as Southeastern attempt to launch a new timetable, and Mr Brightwell said it would be sometime before they could assess its effectiveness.

Southeastern spokesman Scott Brightwell repeated the warning to only travel if absolutely necessary, adding: "Check out our website for the impact on your journeys because it's not just Southeastern that is disrupted.

"UK-wide there are disruptions across all routes, so please check what it means for your journey and if you've bought a ticket please check out our website so you can get the details on how to get a refund."