ARRIVA Trains Northern was last night facing renewed bullying claims amid on-going strike action by conductors.

Conductors working for the company will hold a 24-hour strike tomorrow in support of their pay claim. The strike is the latest in a dispute which began at the start of the year.

Last night, Rail Maritime and Transport union general secretary Bob Crow said: "Arriva have been trying to bully our members from the very start of the dispute. They have cancelled safety courses, threatened to sack people for talking to the Press, told members they won't be promoted if they continue to strike and have been throwing disciplinaries around like confetti."

Arriva Trains Northern hit back at the claims by accusing the union of intimidating its own members.

A spokeswoman said they were concerned at the language and tone used in documents being circulated by the union, including the publication of names of employees who had decided to work on strike days.