A strike by workers on Southern Railway will go ahead on Saturday after "no specific proposals" were put forward by the company in talks.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union will walk out for 24 hours over staffing and driver-only trains.

The two sides met earlier this week to try to find a breakthrough to the bitter dispute, which has caused travel misery for hundreds of thousands of passengers, and said they were "considering" their positions.

RMT leader Mick Cash told his members: "Regrettably there have been no specific proposals from Southern to justify suspending the industrial action."

"I have informed Southern that we are available at any time for further meaningful talks to resolve this very difficult dispute.

He added: "In the meantime, I urge you to continue your outstanding support and solidarity and stand shoulder to shoulder with your colleagues during the industrial action."

Read more: Train drivers’ union put brakes on Southern deal

The meeting on Tuesday followed rejection of a proposed agreement by members of the drivers' union ASLEF.

The narrow 51.8per cent vote against a settlement has set back hopes of ending the dispute, although AsSLEF leaders and Southern will meet again to try to find a solution which is acceptable to drivers.

Members of the RMT will also strike on Saturday at Merseyrail and Arriva Trains North in similar disputes.

The action will affect people travelling to the Grand National at Aintree.

Southern is aiming to have a near-normal service during the RMT's latest strike on Saturday, saying nine out of 10 trains ran during the last walkout in March.

The company announced it planned to run a normal train service on all but one of its routes.

Passenger Services Director Angie Doll said: "We're now running a near-normal service on RMT strike days, so fewer people are being affected by the RMT's action. This week, we plan to provide almost our entire normal Saturday timetable."

No Southern services will operate between Clapham Junction and Milton Keynes Central via Kensington Olympia/Watford Junction.