Workers at the largest train operator in the Bradford district are said to be solidly supporting a fresh strike in the long-running dispute over the role of guards on trains.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union at Arriva Rail North (Northern Rail) walked out for 24 hours today, with another stoppage due on Saturday.

Northern operates services on the Airedale, Wharfedale and Calder Valley lines, among many other routes.

The row has been raging for more than a year on Northern and two years on Southern, with three other train operators also involved in the same dispute - South Western Railway, Merseyrail and Greater Anglia.

Northern's services will be disrupted on both strike days.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "RMT members on Northern Rail stand rock-solid and united once again this morning in this long-running dispute, which is about putting public safety and access before private profit on our railways.

"It is ludicrous that we have been able to negotiate agreements in Wales and Scotland that lock in the guard guarantee but we are being blocked from reaching the same settlement across the North of England.

"A solution to this dispute is within our grasp but the German-owned Arriva need to stop sticking their heads in the sand, get back round the table and work with the union to bolt it down.

"RMT members at Arriva Rail North have shown extraordinary resilience and determination in the fight for rail safety and we thank the public for their continuing support and understanding."

The company said in a message to passengers: "On Thursday, the majority of available trains will operate between 7am and 7pm as we focus on running as many trains as we can to get you into work and home again.

"On Saturday, most trains will run between 7am and 5pm as we work to get you to and from leisure destinations across the region.

"As the overall number of trains running will be reduced, we expect trains and any replacement buses we operate to be extremely busy. Please allow extra time for journeys, plan carefully and consider whether travel is necessary.

"During the RMT strike action, we expect all services to be busy, especially in the morning and evening peak periods, and advise you to allow extra time to travel."