RAIL travellers will face fresh misery today because of another strike by conductors, which is expected to hit almost half the services of a leading train firm.

Arriva Trains Northern said only 55 per cent of its trains will run because of a walkout by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union.

The company said it was disappointed and frustrated that its customers were continuing to be hit by industrial action.

The strike will be the latest in a series of stoppages by the union in a long running dispute over pay.

Arriva has offered an increase of four per cent, which it described as fair and reasonable in the current economic climate.

''If there is no resolution, we are faced with a continuation of strike action until the current franchise agreement ends in February 2003, which would be intolerable for our customers,'' said Ray Price, managing director of Arriva Trains Northern.

Describing the offer as outrageous, the RMT also predicted that the strike would be solidly supported.

''The offer comes nowhere near bridging the gap between different grades at the company,'' said general secretary Bob Crow.

The union believes rail services across the North will grind to a halt as a result of the strike.