Rail dispute has been manufactured by Shapps - RMT

The biggest rail strikes in 30 years will go ahead this week after last ditch talks failed, the RMT union has said.

RMT leader Mick Lynch says the union has "no choice" but to take industrial action, blaming government cuts for "hobbling the industry."

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has dismissed calls for government intervention and said union bosses are "gunning for" industrial action.