More rail strikes are set to cause disruption for shoppers in Kent as a series of 48-hour walk-outs have been planned for the week before Christmas.

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Workers made the announcement today after failing to reach an agreement with industry bosses on pay and conditions.

More than 40,000 members across Network Rail and 14 train operating companies will strike on December 13 and 14, 16 and 17 and on January 3 and 4, 6 and 7.

It could derail plans for people across Kent who were hoping to do some Christmas shopping, as limited services will be running across the county on those days.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: "This latest round of strikes will show how important our members are to the running of this country and will send a clear message that we want a good deal on job security, pay and conditions for our people.

"We have been reasonable, but it is impossible to find a negotiated settlement when the dead hand of government is presiding over these talks.

"The employers are in disarray and saying different things to different people sometimes at the same time.

"This whole process has become a farce that only the new Secretary of State can resolve.

"When I meet him later this week, I will deliver that message.

"In the meantime, our message to the public is we are sorry to inconvenience you, but we urge you to direct your anger and frustration at the government and railway employers during this latest phase of action.

"We call upon all trades unionists in Britain to take a stand and fight for better pay and conditions in their respective industries. And we will seek to coordinate strike action and demonstrations where we can.

"Working people across our class need a pay rise and we are determined to win that for our members in RMT."

There will also be an overtime ban across the railways from December 18 until January 2.

The union said it suspended previous strike action "in good faith" to allow for intensive negotiations to resolve the dispute.

However it feels Network Rail have failed to make an improved offer on jobs, pay and conditions for members during the last two weeks of talks.