Rail travellers will face fresh chaos next month because of two 48-hour strikes by guards in a long-running row over their safety role.

Members of the Rail Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) at 12 train companies, will walk out on May 6/7 and May 27/28, causing widespread disruption to services.

The companies affected include Connex South Eastern and South Central.

Both strikes will take place immediately after bank holidays. They follow three 24-hour stoppages in recent weeks.

The RMT has been campaigning for years to restore the safety role of guards to the industry's rule book.