Cleaners on Southern, Southeastern and Thameslink trains could go on strike, after a ballot has been announced by RMT.

Union members will vote on two separate disputes over pay and working conditions when the ballots open on September 4, being both for strike action and action short of a strike.

The disputes are with Churchill, which holds the cleaning contract on GTR, which incorporates Southern, Thameslink and Great Northern, and with Wettons, which holds the cleaning contract on Southeastern.

A Southeastern spokesman said: "This is a matter for Wettons who operate the contract with Southeastern. We encourage both sides to get round the table and resolve the dispute."

A spokesperson for GTR said: "This is a matter for Churchill who won and operate this contract, and we would encourage both sides to seek a solution."

A spokesperson for Churchill said: “We have been notified by the RMT that it will be balloting Churchill Service Solutions workers over rates of pay and working conditions.

"We will not comment further until we know the outcome of this ballot, however Churchill Service Solutions takes its responsibilities towards staff and contractors very seriously and are committed to working constructively with all parties involved.”

Wettons has been approached for comment, but has not responded at the time of publication.