Workers at a busy rail company serving the South East are to be balloted for strikes in a row over Christmas bank holiday pay.

The Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said its members at Southern Railway will vote on whether to launch a campaign of industrial action after claiming that the company refused to offer extra payments or additional leave for working on December 28, a recognised bank holiday.

The ballot will close on December 21, raising the threat of strikes a week later as the union will have to give seven days notice of any action.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "It is our clear view that our members on Southern should be properly rewarded for having to work on a public holiday in line with agreements in place across the rest of the rail network.

"Southern should be recognising the hard work and dedication of their staff over the year by offering a gesture of goodwill over the festive season.

"Instead, they are playing the role of Scrooge and demanding Christmas bank holiday working for flat rate pay."

Southern operates rail services across the South of England and commuter trains into London.