Conductors at train operator Southern are to go on strike next week after crunch talks with the RMT union broke down.

Company bosses held last-minute negotiations with the RMT today in a bid to avert a threatened walkout. 

But staff will begin five days of industrial action on Monday after the two sides failed to reach an agreement.

Southern's owner Govia Thameslink Railway has previously said it would run 60 per cent of the franchise's trains during the strike if industrial action went ahead. 

Govia claimed to have "gone the extra mile" to compromise with the RMT, offering eight new reassurances during three days of talks at the arbitrator Acas this week.

But the RMT said the company had "no serious intent" to "engage in genuine negotiations".