Southern train drivers' strike High Court ruling due

The long-running dispute is over plans for drivers, instead of conductors, to operate train doors

The High Court is due to rule later on whether the parent company of Southern rail can stop a planned train drivers' strike.

The Aslef union has announced a three-day strike next week in a dispute over driver-only operated trains.

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), which has claimed all Southern services could be halted, argues the strike would breach customers' rights.

Meanwhile, the latest strike by RMT conductors has entered its third day.

Southern has said the High Court hearing, which started on Wednesday, is expected to reach a judgement at 14:30 GMT.

Aslef members have also launched an indefinite ban on overtime which, coupled with the RMT action over changes to the role of conductors, has led to about half of Southern's services being cancelled during the current three-day strike.

The long-running RMT dispute, which has seen several strikes throughout 2016, is set to continue in the run-up to Christmas.

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Commuters have been hit by strikes since April in the bitter row between Southern and the RMT

Southern planned rail strike dates:

00:01 Tuesday 6 December to 23:59 Thursday 8 December (RMT)

00:01: Tuesday 13 December to 23:59 Wednesday 14 December (Aslef)

00:01 Friday 16 December to 23:59: Friday 16 December (Aslef)

00:01 Monday 19 December to 23:59 Tuesday 20 December (RMT)

00:01 Saturday 31 December to 23:59 Monday 2 January (RMT)

00:01 Monday 9 January to 23:59: Saturday 14 January (Aslef)